Finding my lost father in the river
Donation protected
My name is Gary Pitt II
I am asking and pleading for help to find my father who is lost in a section of river and get his boat down off the river before the water is too low and winter comes.
The money will be used for the recourses to find him so we may lay him next to my mother who died only three months before him and retrieve the boat. If I don't get him out now the spring waters will rise and take him so we will never find him.
Winter is comming here in Alaska fast I only have a short window to do both.
My father was the monarch. Finding him will mean that we keep our promise of burying him next to our mother. Also giving my brothers and I closure of this accident. Especially for me the son that he saved that day.
We cannot in works being to describe the greeatfullness that we will have for anyone that helps. I have always been the one that helps others all my life I have been that way. This is so new to me and am actually embarrassed to have to ask for help but if it means getting my dad back then so be it.
This is my story of that day:
This incident no matter how weird it sounds or far fetched is the true account of what happened that day. Here is the near death experience of me and the death of everyones old man, my greatest friend, my mining partner, but most of all my loving dad. Who not only I loved but many many loved.
We were going on our annual hunting trip up the Goodpastor river it was the first trip up this year with is unusual for us because we are always on it starting August eighth. We left for the river late around 6:00pm drove up about 60 miles or so before if got dark and we decided to set up camp for the night.
The next morning we got up and left to make it to the place we have camped at for almost a decade. We came around a turn and sucked something up in the jet which made us loose power we came our of the turn only about 20 feet infront of a log jam. The current took us pushed us up sideways against a log jam. The boat "tea cupped" one side went up the logjam pushing the other side down into the water (with the speed of the current and the amount of boat in the water it sank almost instantly. The only thing that I could say to the old man was get the fuck out of the boat! It swept me out of the boat. I looked up and swear that I saw dad on the log jam right before I went underwater. I reached up and got ahold of the logjam just as I was going under it. I was underwater for about forty five seconds maybe a full minute or so loosing what air I had in my lungs trying to pull myself up. All of the sudden it felt like I was grabbed by the top of both shoulders and was being pulled up. I was looking up when I crested the water no-one was there. I look to the right of me and see dad five to seven feet away holding onto the log jam in the water. My guess is he tried to save me and fell in himself. I found footing and rested my arms screaming at dad to hold on. I was in the water at least another two, or even three more minutes. This whole time I was yelling and screaming to my dad to hold on. I kept looking at him as I yelled to him then I saw it. He was loosing stregnth and his head started bobbing under the water. Adrenaline ran through me I mustered the strength to pull myself up out of the river onto the top of the logs. I tried to stand and could not. I screamed again to my dad to hold on. I crawled on my hands and knees to him. I laid down grabbed him by the only thing i could get a grip on, his coat, just just above his elbows. He looked at me just as his head went underwater he saw me grab him. I know he felt my grasp. I tried so hard, yelling and screaming for him to hold on, to pull him up out of the water. I pulled and pulled and could not bring him to me. I had no strength nothing to bring even his head up out of the water. About thirty seconds go by of me failing to bring him up all of the sudden he went so, so heavy the river ripped him from my grasp. That is the last time I saw him. I laid there for a few minutes trying to stand yelling, coughing up water getting as much as I could out of my lungs, screaming, and crying out for him with no answer. I started to be able to crawl, so I weakly crawled around the log jam looking for him. NOTHING. Finally I was able to walk weakly but still able to. I was so cold and knew I would have to abandon the search long enough to get warm. I was able to get my back pack and things off the boat . With the extra weight I once again was reduced to crawling off the log jam onto the little island it was connected to. I dumped my bag with everything wet to include the matches even though the were in a sealed bag. I sat there crying for a little while to rest and get my head together. I knew there were things in the boat to get a free going so I made a couple trips getting things. I then found the Inreach and texted a number that was in it to make sure it was the guy I thought it was he could call the troopers to get some help. I was so focused on making sure it was the right person I never once remembered or saw the S.O.S. button on it. shortly after that a good friend came down river. I flagged him down and told him what happened. (Earlier on the way up we passed his camp no-one was there only one boat came down river that morning so we knew he was above us) He had a guy with him that also had an Inreach. He hit the S.O.S. He then helped me get my head halfway right made sure I was ok, and kept me busy. Another boat a little while later came up river some more good people. They all helped me keep going talking to me making sure I was ok. We were rigging up some things to pull the boat out when the blackhawk came and landed on the island. They said they were taking me out with them when they left since I was hypothermic and had some water in my lungs but allowed me to stay long enough to finish helping rig up the rope advantage to get the boat out. When it was time to go the got me. My friend told me he would take care of the boat, my gear and guns to just leave with them and get to my family. I took the ride out when we landed there an ambulance was waiting for me. I walked over to it got in. We were right behind the hospital when I was told the troopers were on the way to talk to me. I refused medical help from them and went with the troopers to be interviewed or whatever you want to call it. After that they dropped me off at the same friend's business that helped me on the river to get a car so I could get to my truck. I then got my truck and drove all night to my home. When I got there I told my wife then made the hardest call I have ever made to my younger brothers. They are still looking for my dad on this third day. I hurt in both my heart and my body but am fine. I know my dad fell in trying to save me which hurts the worst. I know that the people that helped me are wonderful people and cared for my dad. I know there are people shocked and morn him as they find out about it. People that felt he was a father to them and loved him like one. Them same people who are so upset that he is gone don't know that he felt like they were like sons to him especially the ones we mined with and trained, molded and brought up from a inexperienced nipper to now shift bosses. Family and friends are hurting as I am. He died on the river he loved so much going on with my mother who died only three short months ago. Well now he can be with her able to breath deep breaths and run without getting out of breath on only a couple strides. He will be surly missed by all. He will always be in my heart and never forgotten. He loved all four of his sons so much the only thing he ever thought about was how to help us in every way. He helped others without question. He is the old style man. The type that is now going extinct never to find anymore like him. His mining skills are forever lost. His old school parenting style is one of the greatest this world has ever seen(and illegal in the state of California) He taught us boys with a firm hand and a loving heart and we love him for that. He was proud of what everyone of us boys grew in to. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren without question. If he did give you a hard time that means he loved you and you should cherish that to the end of time. His legacy is one that is unmatched. No-one can come close to it especially in the world we live in today. The world has lost someone that now makes it a little darker and heaven a little brighter. He will be missed and missed a lot. All I can say is I love you dad all of your sons, sons wives, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, friends,and even acquaintances are morning you. Thank you for the live you have given us. Thank you for making us the way we are today. We could nat have had a better life. I am proud to be able to say that you are the best dad anyone could ever wish for in the history of the world and for every generation to come. ~your loving son
I NEED TO GET HIM TO TAKE HIM HOME AND FULFILL THE OLNY PROMISE HE HAD US 4 BOYS MAKE TO HIM. BURY HIM BY HIS WIFE OUR MOTHER THAT DIES ON MAY 31 OF THIS YEAR. SHE DIED ONE WEEK SHORT OF THEIR 45TH ANNIVERSARY.
If we do not get up there before this winter with the water freezing we will never get him. The spring flood will take him and we will never see him again.
The Trooprs had cadaver dogs and two different dogs got hits on one location. They looked for a little while then left. They called me that night and said they were done searching for him.
I have people with dogs willing to go, People willing to help search, I got boats to take us up, I have just about everything we need except the funding.
Will you please help? It is for a father,grandfather, an American Patriot one who himself would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. Now he is in need it is his hour that we can help. Are you able and willing? The picture I put on here he is on the far left. THat was at my mothers funeral 3 months before our accident. I took him up there so he could have closue with my mother. Can you help us get there so we can have our closure?
I am asking and pleading for help to find my father who is lost in a section of river and get his boat down off the river before the water is too low and winter comes.
The money will be used for the recourses to find him so we may lay him next to my mother who died only three months before him and retrieve the boat. If I don't get him out now the spring waters will rise and take him so we will never find him.
Winter is comming here in Alaska fast I only have a short window to do both.
My father was the monarch. Finding him will mean that we keep our promise of burying him next to our mother. Also giving my brothers and I closure of this accident. Especially for me the son that he saved that day.
We cannot in works being to describe the greeatfullness that we will have for anyone that helps. I have always been the one that helps others all my life I have been that way. This is so new to me and am actually embarrassed to have to ask for help but if it means getting my dad back then so be it.
This is my story of that day:
This incident no matter how weird it sounds or far fetched is the true account of what happened that day. Here is the near death experience of me and the death of everyones old man, my greatest friend, my mining partner, but most of all my loving dad. Who not only I loved but many many loved.
We were going on our annual hunting trip up the Goodpastor river it was the first trip up this year with is unusual for us because we are always on it starting August eighth. We left for the river late around 6:00pm drove up about 60 miles or so before if got dark and we decided to set up camp for the night.
The next morning we got up and left to make it to the place we have camped at for almost a decade. We came around a turn and sucked something up in the jet which made us loose power we came our of the turn only about 20 feet infront of a log jam. The current took us pushed us up sideways against a log jam. The boat "tea cupped" one side went up the logjam pushing the other side down into the water (with the speed of the current and the amount of boat in the water it sank almost instantly. The only thing that I could say to the old man was get the fuck out of the boat! It swept me out of the boat. I looked up and swear that I saw dad on the log jam right before I went underwater. I reached up and got ahold of the logjam just as I was going under it. I was underwater for about forty five seconds maybe a full minute or so loosing what air I had in my lungs trying to pull myself up. All of the sudden it felt like I was grabbed by the top of both shoulders and was being pulled up. I was looking up when I crested the water no-one was there. I look to the right of me and see dad five to seven feet away holding onto the log jam in the water. My guess is he tried to save me and fell in himself. I found footing and rested my arms screaming at dad to hold on. I was in the water at least another two, or even three more minutes. This whole time I was yelling and screaming to my dad to hold on. I kept looking at him as I yelled to him then I saw it. He was loosing stregnth and his head started bobbing under the water. Adrenaline ran through me I mustered the strength to pull myself up out of the river onto the top of the logs. I tried to stand and could not. I screamed again to my dad to hold on. I crawled on my hands and knees to him. I laid down grabbed him by the only thing i could get a grip on, his coat, just just above his elbows. He looked at me just as his head went underwater he saw me grab him. I know he felt my grasp. I tried so hard, yelling and screaming for him to hold on, to pull him up out of the water. I pulled and pulled and could not bring him to me. I had no strength nothing to bring even his head up out of the water. About thirty seconds go by of me failing to bring him up all of the sudden he went so, so heavy the river ripped him from my grasp. That is the last time I saw him. I laid there for a few minutes trying to stand yelling, coughing up water getting as much as I could out of my lungs, screaming, and crying out for him with no answer. I started to be able to crawl, so I weakly crawled around the log jam looking for him. NOTHING. Finally I was able to walk weakly but still able to. I was so cold and knew I would have to abandon the search long enough to get warm. I was able to get my back pack and things off the boat . With the extra weight I once again was reduced to crawling off the log jam onto the little island it was connected to. I dumped my bag with everything wet to include the matches even though the were in a sealed bag. I sat there crying for a little while to rest and get my head together. I knew there were things in the boat to get a free going so I made a couple trips getting things. I then found the Inreach and texted a number that was in it to make sure it was the guy I thought it was he could call the troopers to get some help. I was so focused on making sure it was the right person I never once remembered or saw the S.O.S. button on it. shortly after that a good friend came down river. I flagged him down and told him what happened. (Earlier on the way up we passed his camp no-one was there only one boat came down river that morning so we knew he was above us) He had a guy with him that also had an Inreach. He hit the S.O.S. He then helped me get my head halfway right made sure I was ok, and kept me busy. Another boat a little while later came up river some more good people. They all helped me keep going talking to me making sure I was ok. We were rigging up some things to pull the boat out when the blackhawk came and landed on the island. They said they were taking me out with them when they left since I was hypothermic and had some water in my lungs but allowed me to stay long enough to finish helping rig up the rope advantage to get the boat out. When it was time to go the got me. My friend told me he would take care of the boat, my gear and guns to just leave with them and get to my family. I took the ride out when we landed there an ambulance was waiting for me. I walked over to it got in. We were right behind the hospital when I was told the troopers were on the way to talk to me. I refused medical help from them and went with the troopers to be interviewed or whatever you want to call it. After that they dropped me off at the same friend's business that helped me on the river to get a car so I could get to my truck. I then got my truck and drove all night to my home. When I got there I told my wife then made the hardest call I have ever made to my younger brothers. They are still looking for my dad on this third day. I hurt in both my heart and my body but am fine. I know my dad fell in trying to save me which hurts the worst. I know that the people that helped me are wonderful people and cared for my dad. I know there are people shocked and morn him as they find out about it. People that felt he was a father to them and loved him like one. Them same people who are so upset that he is gone don't know that he felt like they were like sons to him especially the ones we mined with and trained, molded and brought up from a inexperienced nipper to now shift bosses. Family and friends are hurting as I am. He died on the river he loved so much going on with my mother who died only three short months ago. Well now he can be with her able to breath deep breaths and run without getting out of breath on only a couple strides. He will be surly missed by all. He will always be in my heart and never forgotten. He loved all four of his sons so much the only thing he ever thought about was how to help us in every way. He helped others without question. He is the old style man. The type that is now going extinct never to find anymore like him. His mining skills are forever lost. His old school parenting style is one of the greatest this world has ever seen(and illegal in the state of California) He taught us boys with a firm hand and a loving heart and we love him for that. He was proud of what everyone of us boys grew in to. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren without question. If he did give you a hard time that means he loved you and you should cherish that to the end of time. His legacy is one that is unmatched. No-one can come close to it especially in the world we live in today. The world has lost someone that now makes it a little darker and heaven a little brighter. He will be missed and missed a lot. All I can say is I love you dad all of your sons, sons wives, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, friends,and even acquaintances are morning you. Thank you for the live you have given us. Thank you for making us the way we are today. We could nat have had a better life. I am proud to be able to say that you are the best dad anyone could ever wish for in the history of the world and for every generation to come. ~your loving son
I NEED TO GET HIM TO TAKE HIM HOME AND FULFILL THE OLNY PROMISE HE HAD US 4 BOYS MAKE TO HIM. BURY HIM BY HIS WIFE OUR MOTHER THAT DIES ON MAY 31 OF THIS YEAR. SHE DIED ONE WEEK SHORT OF THEIR 45TH ANNIVERSARY.
If we do not get up there before this winter with the water freezing we will never get him. The spring flood will take him and we will never see him again.
The Trooprs had cadaver dogs and two different dogs got hits on one location. They looked for a little while then left. They called me that night and said they were done searching for him.
I have people with dogs willing to go, People willing to help search, I got boats to take us up, I have just about everything we need except the funding.
Will you please help? It is for a father,grandfather, an American Patriot one who himself would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. Now he is in need it is his hour that we can help. Are you able and willing? The picture I put on here he is on the far left. THat was at my mothers funeral 3 months before our accident. I took him up there so he could have closue with my mother. Can you help us get there so we can have our closure?
Organizer
Gary Pitt
Organizer
Kenai, AK
