Missing Big Lake man dies

A missing man from Big Lake was found unconscious and died after searchers have already spent two days looking for him. Also, a searching private airplane crashed when spotting the man laying in a swamp.Gary Swanson, age 44 was reported missing by his family after he left his cabin near Bud Lake on Thursday night. Troopers conducted an aerial search with helicopter and fixed wing aircraft as well as canine “Roelle” and numerous searchers on the ground.

On Saturday morning, a family friend was  searching the area in a Supercub. The pilot of the Supercub was Theodore Schachl, age 52 of Willow.  Schachle spotted Swanson laying on his back in a swamp. As he attempted a low pass over Swanson, the plane stalled and crashed into the trees.  Schachle suffered facial injuries but was able to get himself out the aircraft. Schachle’s passenger, Craig Seime, age 51 of Big Lake was not injured. The two managed to walk over to Swanson and found him to be alive but unconscious.  The troopers launched Helo 1 and a fixed wing aircraft to the area. Also responding were a Lifeguard Helicopter and an Air National Guard helicopter  was launched by the Rescue Coordination Center.

Upon arriving in the  area, lifesaving measures were attempted by flight medics but Swanson  passed away. Swanson was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s  Office.  Schachle and Seime were transported out of the area by private  aircraft. They had minor injuries, but Schachle’s aircraft is a total loss.

Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said on Sunday that the cause of Swanson’s death would be determined by the coroner and that Swanson appears to have died from hypothermia.