A woman and a young child were found dead Tuesday night after falling into the Matanuska River near Palmer, according to responders.
An initial Alaska State Troopers dispatch on the search received a report just after 9 p.m. that the victims had fallen into the river near Matanuska River Park, off the Old Glenn Highway.
“Both have been tentatively identified but their identities will not be released until next of kin is completely appraised of the situation,” troopers wrote.
Ken Barkley, the Mat-Su Borough’s deputy director of emergency services, said two fatalities were reported in the search by late Tuesday evening. Their fall into the river, which he said was accidental, occurred along an old bridge on the highway.
“The old bridge is more of a bike path and it was right there,” Barkley said.
Borough dive team members, as well as Butte and Palmer fire crews, responded along with troopers to assist in the search.