Sometime after midnight on March 2, 2004, A private individual drove his GMC pick-up truck off the lake ice and into open water at the outlet of Skilak Lake. The driver, his nine-year old son, and a dog were able to escape and make it to shore. Rescuers found the child the following day. The child recovered after receiving medical care. The driver's body was located on the lake ice. He died from exposure.
The vehicle remains submerged in approximately 12 feet of water at the outlet of Skilak Lake within the boundary of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Unknown contaminants on board include fuel and motor oil. Details of amounts are unavailable from the surviving family members. USF&W investigating officers report the truck is believed to be gasoline powered. An estimate of less than forty gallons of gasoline and 6 quarts of motor oil is presumed.
Overflight observation and observation from the shore has not identified a sheen associated with contaminants leaking from the vehicle. .
The surviving responsible party (ie: wife)has failed to assume responsibility for removal of the vehicle. PRFA has been issued to USF&W to recover the vehicle.
4/16 UPDATE - Yesterday vehicle was removed without incident.
