Rescuers battle weather trying to reach sightseers stuck on Alaska glacier after plane mishap

Alaska rescuers try to reach stranded sightseers

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Rescuers in Alaska say they have reached by radio sightseers stranded on a glacier after their small plane apparently crashed.

Crews with the Alaska Air National Guard say the five on board the plane are in good condition as they wait for rescuers to reach them on Knik (kah-NIK’) Glacier, roughly 40 miles northeast of Anchorage.

Rescuers have been trying to reach the plane since Sunday afternoon after the aircraft’s locator beacon went off, but have been hampered by high winds, dense clouds and blizzard conditions.

Maj. Guy Hayes says communications with the stranded Alaskan and four out-of-state visitors had been very limited before they were reached late Monday afternoon. He says those on board sustained minor injuries.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Rescuers in Alaska are battling fierce winds and blizzard conditions as they try to reach sightseers stranded on a glacier after their small plane encountered some kind of problem.

Crews with the Alaska Air National Guard have been trying to reach the plane since Sunday afternoon after the plane’s locator beacon went off on Knik (kah-NIK’) Glacier, which is roughly 40 miles northeast of Anchorage.

Major Guy Hayes says communications with the stranded Alaskan and four out-of-state visitors has been very limited. He says it’s unknown what kind of mishap befell the plane, only that those on board sustained minor injuries.

Hayes says rescuers in aircraft were thwarted from reaching the site by a dense cloud cover.