News Release

Hiker Suffers Fatal Cardiac Arrest

Date: July 11, 2018
Contact: Margie Steigerwald, [phone]

Yesterday, a 53-year old man from Fairbanks, Alaska, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while hiking with family on the Root Glacier Trail in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Park staff, local guide personnel and good Samaritans responded to the scene. Efforts at emergency resuscitation were not successful. Resuscitation efforts lasting almost one hour were suspended based on direction from medical professionals. The exact cause of death is under investigation.

The Root Glacier Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park. It extends north from Kennecott to access the Root Glacier and is traveled by dozens of guided groups and individuals daily in the summer. Even though the Kennecott area trails are well-traveled, the park reminds visitors that the park is remote and emergency medical care may be hours away.