Central Emergency Services personnel rescued two men from the incoming tide after they had become stuck in the mud along Kalifornsky Beach Thursday night.
According to a dispatch from Alaska State Troopers, a 911 call was received at 11:12 p.m. reporting two people stuck in the mud up over their waists off of Kalifornsky Beach Road in Kasilof. According to troopers, John Prince, 46, of Arkansas, and William Shannon, 47, of Indiana, had ventured 500 feet out onto the mud flats during low tide to take a picture of an eagle. Troopers report that the two men became stuck in the mud and were unable to pull themselves out as the tide began to come back in.
CES rescue personnel responded to the scene with float suits and rescue equipment. According to a CES press release, one of the men was unable to make his way out of the mud because every time he took a step, he sunk to his knees. Rescuers were able to get him into their boat quickly. The other male was stuck up to his waist. Rescuers spent 45 minutes to free one leg, at which point the incoming tide had reached him. Rescuers were able to dig through mud and water to extricate the man, and both men were returned safely to the beach.
According to CES, Prince and Shannon were checked by medical personnel on scene. Neither man was transported to the hospital.
