Iditarod Press Release

16. Mar, 2009 4 Comments

Very strange and sad news coming out of Iditarod Headquarters today, regarding three of the rookie mushers at the end of the race. The following press release does a great job of explaining the few details that are known at this point:

Earlier today (at approximately 2pm Alaska Time) Iditarod Race officials deployed an Iditarod Air Force (IAF) aircraft to check on the whereabouts of Iditarod Rookies Lou Packer (bib #43), Kim Darst (bib #52) and Blake Matray (bib #9). All three mushers were overdue on their run to Shageluk. Packer was located approximately 22 miles past Iditarod. He signaled that he was in distress. The (IAF) pilot landed and found that two of Packer’s 15 dogs were deceased. A plane load of dogs were immediately flown out and a second flight is underway to airlift Packer and the remainder of the team.

A group of local residents from Shageluk are on the trail to assess and assist Darst and Matray.

A necropsy will be conducted by a board certified pathologist to make every attempt to determine the cause of death of the two dogs.

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4 Responses to “Iditarod Press Release”

  1. Meg 17. Mar, 2009 at 6:34 am

    WOW What the heck happened?

  2. James NomadRip 17. Mar, 2009 at 6:47 am

    I hope the others are fine. The current standings page is listing Matray and Darst as scratched, but not Packer as of me writing this now.

  3. Pete 17. Mar, 2009 at 6:51 am

    this it not good news,
    Hey anything on Sab and Mackey

  4. Georgia 17. Mar, 2009 at 7:31 am

    Any info on why King, Gatt & Neff are back in Shaktoolik?

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