Man missing following boat malfunction on Kenai River

A Colorado man is still missing after four boaters were ejected from an out-of-control boat on the Kenai River on Friday night.

Three of the boaters were able to swim to shore while the fourth, Phillip Keltner, 63, of Colorado was unable to make it to the shore after the boaters lost control of the vessel near Centennial Park.

The boaters were not wearing life jackets, according to a release.

At 9:07 p.m. on Friday night, Alaska State Troopers received report of the accident and responded to the scene with Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Alaska State Park Rangers, Soldotna Police Department and Central Emergency Services. They responded via boat and on foot, searching the shoreline for Keltner, who was last scene floating down the river before, reportedly, going under water.

The search units were unable to locate Keltner and the search was suspended. The Alaska State Park Service is continuing searches of the area, according to the release.

The cause of the boat malfunction is under investigation.

— Staff Report

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