The ongoing search for two men missing after their vehicle plunged into the Susitna River in early March is set to recommence as the ice begins to thaw in Southcentral Alaska. The incident, which occurred on the morning of March 6, involved a five-person work crew. Among them were 32-year-old Skye Rench from Wasilla and 42-year-old Sean Kendall from Anchorage. The group was traveling from a remote job site to Point MacKenzie when their six-seat Polaris Ranger utility vehicle broke through the ice at the junction of Fish Creek and the Susitna River. Sadly, Rench and Kendall were swept away by the river, while the other three crew members managed to walk back to their work camp.
The men were employed by Alaska Directional LLC, a company based in Palmer. Their work was part of a project by the Matanuska Telecom Association to install underground fiber-optic cables, aiming to deliver high-speed internet services to Beluga and Tyonek. In response to the incident, both the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health section and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration have initiated investigations.
Alaska Directional has expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy and emphasized their commitment to safety. The company stated it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations and extended their deepest sympathies to the affected families, friends, and colleagues. Alaska State Troopers conducted an initial two-day search for Rench and Kendall before shifting to a reactive search strategy, which involves deploying resources if new information arises.
Thomas Rench, Skye’s father, has independently conducted multiple searches at the site and plans to continue his efforts. Stacey Calder, Rench’s mother, revealed that troopers recently conducted aerial surveys of the area, noting that while the ice at Fish Creek is breaking up, downstream conditions remain stable. She emphasized her desire for the recovery of the men’s bodies.
The Alaska State Troopers intend to deploy the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team once ice conditions allow. This nonprofit team responds to water-related emergencies across the state under the directive of the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Reports from the team indicate that while the river’s ice is slowly breaking up, current conditions still hinder search operations, which they hope to resume once the ice has sufficiently cleared.
The family of Sean Kendall has expressed gratitude for the efforts dedicated to the search and recovery mission. Memorial services for both men were held last month, drawing hundreds in attendance to honor their memories. Sean Kendall, an Anchorage native and West High School alumnus, leaves behind a 16-year-old son. Skye Rench, a graduate of Colony High School, was known for his extensive experience in Alaska’s rugged outdoors, including participation in February’s Iron Dog snowmachine race. Concerns about the March 6 trip had been voiced by Rench, who questioned the decision to use a vehicle instead of snowmachines due to adverse weather conditions the night before.