25 May 2023 , 18:39
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A college student died on a summer adventure in Alaska when he got stuck on dangerous mud flats and sucked into the ground.
Zachary Porter, described by his family as a passionate traveller and outdoor enthusiast, found himself trapped in quicksand-like silt on the treacherous Turnagain Arm mud flats.
The 20-year-old from Illinois, a sophomore (second year) at Washington University in St. Louis, had embarked on the Alaskan trip with a group of friends before at the start of summer.
The group was crossing the 48-mile-long estuary, which is carved out by glaciers., when Porter became engulfed in the waist-deep mud.
Despite frantic efforts by both firefighters and his friends to free him, the incoming tide proved to be too powerful, and Porter tragically succumbed to the force of the water.
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Zachary’s sister, Elizabeth (left) and his father, Todd Porter (right) spoke of their heartbreak (WLS-TV)His body was recovered from the estuary the following morning, devastating his family and friends back home in Lake Bluff.
Todd Porter, Zachary's father, shared his son's passion for travel and nature, recounting their family vacations where getting lost on hikes was a cherished experience for the young adventurer.
In an interview with NBC Chicago, Todd revealed, "They were just going to have a little adventure before their summer activities started.
"Almost every family vacation, we’d get lost on a hike and he’d love that,”
“He was the most kind, compassionate, hard-working, smart, driven well-rounded person I know,” his sister, Elizabeth Porter told the local ABC station.
At least three other people have gotten stuck and drowned in the mud flats over the years (AP)She spoke to the local ABC station, saying, "The number of friends that are completely devastated by his death is really a testament to what a big heart he had and how many people he impacted in his 20 years."
Susan Rider, Zachary's mother said he had a dream of becoming a professional sailor.
She said: ""He was on his way to being this amazing adult. Part of what enabled him to do that was having a variety of experiences in a community that loved him,”
In honour of his memory, the family plans to establish a foundation that aims to provide underprivileged children with opportunities to experience the outdoors.
The mud flats near the small town of Hope, Alaska, where this tragic incident occurred, are renowned for their scenic beauty but concealed dangers.
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The silt, composed of rocks pulverised by glaciers, can create treacherous conditions when wet, forming a vacuum-like effect that ensnares unsuspecting individuals.
Kristy Peterson, administrator and lead EMT for the Hope-Sunrise Volunteer Fire Department, cautioned against underestimating the hazards of the mud flats.
Signs warning of the dangerous waters and mud are prominently displayed, yet over the years, multiple incidents have occurred, resulting in drownings and near-fatal accidents.
Peterson stressed, "I’ve really got to warn people against playing the mud. It’s dangerous."