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Alaska Dip-Netter Missing, Presumed Dead After Falling Into Copper RiverLance Jorgensen, 28, was fishing from shore at about 12:30 p.m. when he slipped and was pulled under the water by the current.Related Content
FAIRBANKS - A North Pole man is missing and presumed dead after he slipped into the Copper River while dip netting Thursday afternoon.
Lance Jorgensen, 28, a carpenter from North Pole, was fishing from shore at about 12:30 p.m. when he slipped and was pulled under the water by the current, according to Alaska State Troopers. Mark Hem, the charter operator Jorgensen was with, gave the location as about two-thirds of the way down Wood Canyon. Several boats and a helicopter searched for him Thursday unsuccessfully. Today troopers are calling off the search because of the low probability that he is still alive, trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said. “If we thought there was a good chance he was alive it would be a different matter,” she said. Jorgensen was not wearing a life jacket. His name has been added to the trooper’s Missing Person Database. Jorgensen was fishing with his father, who has been notified of the current status of the search, troopers said. Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545. |
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Kibby said on Friday, Jun 17 at 1:59 PM
This is tragic especially after all the efort that was wasted in searching for a musher that did not want to be found now a person in real trouble disaapears and everybody gives up looking right away, so very very sad.
69213412charlie said on Friday, Jun 17 at 2:09 PM
i live in chitina. people fall into that river every year while dipnetting, and they don't come out. the resources are limited out here. them calling off the search isn't because they don't care, it's because of past experience
69213912Stein said on Friday, Jun 17 at 2:12 PM
The time was not "wasted". It's what we do. We are much happier that she is alive than when we have to pull a body out of a river.
69214077mikey said on Friday, Jun 17 at 3:03 PM
people need to learn to wear a life vest, sometimes they dont look kool, but neither does a bodybag. learn dipnetters
69216221Wes Craske said on Friday, Jun 17 at 3:44 PM
Water--PFDs; it's as simple as that. Kids don't float; neither do grown-ups. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in Alaska. Please let your kids have a dad!
69217947Thomas Laird said on Friday, Jun 17 at 3:50 PM
Whatever happened to tying yourself off to a tree or a car on the Copper.So sad thatsomeone so young is taken from his family because of overlooking reasonable safety precautions
69218178Cheri said on Friday, Jun 17 at 4:47 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to Lance's family.
69220597jerrie said on Friday, Jun 17 at 6:03 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Jorgensen family. I am so sorry for the lost of your son. My hopes and prayers are that they find him for you.
69223742Dee said on Friday, Jun 17 at 11:48 PM
I can't believe how awful some of you are with your comments, This family is in morning and is very hurt and need support and kind words. Yes he wasn't wearing a life vest so now we can all learn from that, not judge!! To Lance's family, I am so very sorry for your terrible loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all!
69233032Justin and Susie said on Monday, Jun 20 at 11:44 AM
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. We are so sad that his life was cut short by such a tradgic accident. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in piece
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