May 20, 1988 - Rafting Fatality at Canyon Rapids
M.A., his son N., and Gregory L. Mansfield, 39, all from Wasilla, AK, were rafting down the Gulkana River on the 20th. While running the rapids at Canyon Rapids with M.A., Gregory fell off the raft, went over a four-foot-high waterfall, and was last seen floating down the river. M.A. managed to get the raft to the camp and searched the bank on foot downstream from the rapids. He found no sign of Gregory. M.A. and his son spent the night in their camp, then rafted to the Sourdough pull-out and reported the incident to Alaska state troopers. At about 8 pm on the 21st, an NPS helicopter with a contract pilot, state trooper and M.A. aboard began a search of the river. Gregory's body was not found. Alaska state troopers are continuing the search.
Neither M.A. nor Gregory were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.