Skwentna man rescued after surviving three weeks in the cold

Last Thursday, Alaska State Troopers rescued a Skwentna man who had been surviving in sub-zero temperatures for weeks after his cabin burned down.

According to Troopers, 30-year-old Tyson Steele’s family became concerned after not hearing from him for several weeks.  Late Thursday morning, a Trooper helicopter located Steele waving his arms near a makeshift shelter.

After the rescue, Steele spoke with Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Ken Marsh.  Steele told Marsh that he woke up after midnight on either December 17^th or 18^th to discover the roof of his shelter was on fire.  He was forced to flee the house wearing long johns and boots.  He was also able to find a pair of old coveralls in a nearby shed.

Steele survived for three weeks in sub-zero temperatures by scavenging what food and supplies he could after the fire went out.  He slept in snow caves and made other makeshift shelters.  According to Marsh his request on being rescued was for a combo meal from McDonald’s.