In the southeastern part of Alaska, the search continues for a woman who vanished under the water and ice over the weekend in the partially frozen Eagle River. Search efforts continued on Tuesday, hoping to find Amanda Richmond Rogers, 45, who tried to save her dog after it fell through the ice.
According to the Hill and Alaska State Troopers, the woman disappeared on Saturday close to the north fork of the river, which is located near Anchorage leading to one of the state parks. Investigators stated Amanda and her husband, Brian Rogers, had been walking their dogs along the trail, when one of the dogs took off and ran into the water for a drink. The woman and the man both rushed in after the dog, but the woman disappeared under the water while searching.
The Anchorage Daily News reported the dog had fallen through a small opening in the ice; Brian Rogers wrote in a statement, and he had gone into the water first to try and rescue the dog, but was not able to find it. As he got out of the water, Rogers said his wife hurry into the water.
I knew from the look on her face she was going to save our dog. She is an emergency room nurse, trained to help and save people. In this situation, she was going to save our dog. i yelled but doubt she even heard me as she was completely concentrating on saving the dog…
Statement by Brian Rogers as posted in Anchorage Daily News
And before Brian could get back to the opening in the ice to grab his wife and pull her to safety, he said he could see her swimming under the ice and out of sight. He waited and waited, but she nor their dog did not reappear.
Brian and his four sons said their mother “died a hero.” She didn’t jump into the water to save a dog; the dog was a family member. The family had four rescue dogs; the dog missing was an Irish wolfhound. He has not been found either.
More groups have joined the search, but the limited daylight hours in Alaska limits the visibility. The family is devastated by the loss of their beloved relative. It was to be an 18-year wedding anniversary for the couple and plans had been made to spend Christmas together.
(Photos via screenshots of posted videos)
Read previous coverage here.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
