Albert Ball Jr.

Snowmachiner dies after driving into crevice along Muklung River
ADN 9/3/97


A 58-year-old Dillingham man died Monday in a snowmachine accident, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers were informed at 12:20 p.m. that Albert Ball Jr. had been injured while riding from Aleknagik to Dillingham. Ball apparently drove into a crevice at the Muklung River, causing extensive head and lower-body injuries, said Sgt. Rick Quinn.

A family member riding alongside Ball continued to Dillingham for help. An Alaska Army National Guard helicopter in Dillingham responded to the scene. It had been involved in the recovery of plane crash victim Jim Kelley, a Catholic priest who served the Anchorage Archdiocese. When the helicopter arrived, volunteers from Aleknagik were there administering CPR.

Ball was taken to Dillingham, where he was pronounced dead.

-- Anchorage Daily News