July 14, 2003
Monday - 9:30 pm

Juneau, AK - The extensive Coast Guard led search for four people who remain missing in Southeast Alaska following a Sunday night plane crash near Gustavus continued this

Juneau: After surviving a Cessna 401 plane crash in the waters of Icy Strait in Southeast Alaska July 13, Benjamin Gunn of Utah is taken off a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescue helicopter to an awaiting ambulance. Rescuers airlifted Gunn and his companion, Khyl Shummway also of Utah, from Eagle Point.  The pair swam ashore after escaping from the downed plane. (Official U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Roger W. Wetherell) Juneau: After surviving a Cessna 401 plane crash in the waters of Icy Strait in Southeast Alaska July 13, an uninjured Khyl Shummway of Utah walks off a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescue helicopter to an awaiting ambulance. Rescuers airlifted Shummway and his companion, Benjamin Gunn also of Utah, from Eagle Point. The pair swam ashore after escaping from the downed plane.  (Official U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Roger W. Wetherell)

afternoon. There were six on board at the time of the crash.

Coast Guard rescue helicopter and boat crews continue to saturate an area near Eagle Point in Southeast Alaska, the sight where rescuers located two survivors about 8 a.m. today.

Assisting the Coast Guard in the search are SEADOGS, (a group of dogs and their handlers specializing in people searches ashore), Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Army Air National Guard, the U.S. National Park Service, a host of Good Samaritan volunteers and personnel from the Gustavus Fire Department.

This afternoon's search focuses on an area stretching between Mud Bay and Hoonah using crews from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Station Juneau and numerous others.

The two men who survived the water crash are identified as Khyl Shummway and Ben Gunn, both of Utah.  Shummway suffered minor injuries and mild hypothermia.  Gunn sustained a bruises, bumps and a possible broken leg.  Both men received medical treatment at Juneau's Bartlett Regional Hospital Monday morning after a Coast Guard helicopter crew airlifted them here.

A Good Samaritan boater spotted Gunn and Shummway on the beach this morning at Eagle Point.  The boater requested the Coast Guard helicopter airlift the two men.

The missing are identified as the pilot, Gary Ostler, his 18-year-old son Christopher Ostler and Gordon and Adam Moses.  All six men are reportedly from Utah.

The Coast Guard began searching for Ostler's Cessna 401 aircraft Sunday night near Gustavus after Ostler reported to Juneau Flight Services personnel that his aircraft ran out of fuel.      

Ostler also reportedly said that during final approach to the airport in Gustavus, he descended from clouds and saw only water.

According to information released by the USCG, searchers are finding slight bits of debris in the search area that includes oil can, a small piece of the aircraft and a backpack.

Source of News Release & Photographs:

United States Coast Guard
Web Site

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