Tragedy on the Kuskokwim: The Disappearance of Peter Sallaffie

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A Fateful Journey on New Year's Day

On January 1, 2021, a somber event unfolded near Tuluksak, Alaska, as two men from Bethel, Peter Sallaffie and Joseph Hale, embarked on a snowmachine trip that would end in tragedy. Their destination was Tuluksak, where they intended to visit a relative. However, upon their departure, a navigational error led them onto the hovercraft trail instead of the designated snowmachine path. This misstep directed them into an unmarked open hole in the ice along the Kuskokwim River, resulting in both men drowning.

Immediate Response and Search Efforts

Members of Tuluksak’s COVID-19 team witnessed the accident and promptly rushed to the scene. Despite their swift response, by the time they reached the open water, neither Sallaffie nor Hale were visible. The initial search efforts faced challenges due to a shortage of experienced personnel, as many seasoned search and rescue members were either sheltering due to the pandemic or were closely related to the missing men, adhering to Yup’ik traditions that discourage relatives from participating in searches for their kin.

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