Fatal rafting accident on Chatanika River north of Fairbanks under investigation
Jun 18, 2025 Anchorage Daily News
Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team (FILE)
Alaska State Troopers are investigating after a fatal rafting accident on the Chatanika River north of Fairbanks. On Tuesday, troopers received a report of an overturned raft about 40 miles north of Fairbanks on the Chatanika River. A caller said she was rafting with 67-year-old Joye Maple when their raft overturned. The caller told authorities she saw Maple get trapped in a set of branches along the riverbank. She was able to reach shore and then walked to the Steese Highway to get help. Wildlife Troopers, PAWS, and the Western State Air Rescue responded to the area and located Maple deceased in the river. Next of kin were on scene. Alaska State Trooper Brian LeMay, assigned to the Fairbanks area, told Alaska’s News Source she was not wearing a life jacket. The State Medical Examiner’s office will determine the cause of death.
The Chatanika is Class 1 but can be swift with sweepers. A local paddler reports some tight turns and overhanging trees requiring maneuvering, and a tree tree blocking the river 45 minutes into the paddle with an easy gravel bar portage.
Location: Fairbanks
Type: SAR/Death
Dispatch Text: On June 17, 2025, Alaska State Troopers received a report of an overturned boat on the Chatanika River, approximately 40 miles north of Fairbanks. The caller reported that she was rafting down the river with Joye Maple, age 67, of Fairbanks, when their raft overturned. The caller saw Joye get trapped in a set of branches along the bank. The caller was able to reach the shore and then walked to the Steese Highway to get help. Alaska Wildlife Troopers, PAWS and WSAR responded to the area and located Joye deceased in the river. Next of kin was on scene. The body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.
https://dailydispatch.dps.alaska.gov/Home/DisplayIncident?incidentNumber=AK25058782
