A man on a snow machine repeatedly tried to harm Iditarod veterans Aliy Zirkle, Jeff King and their teams outside of Nulato killing one dog and injuring several others early Saturday morning, according to an Iditarod press release.
Zirkle told Iditarod officials that as she was making her way to the Nulato checkpoint, the man repeatedly tried to harm her and her team. One dog was injured.
King reported a similar incident 12 miles outside of Nulato, according to the press release. The incident resulted in the death of 3-year-old sled dog Nash, and the non-life-threatening injuries of two others.
King spoke with KNOM’s Emily Schwing about the incident:
“Last night, about 12 miles before I arrived (in) Nulato, one of the many snow machines that were on the river struck my team at high speed,” King said. “It did not hit my sled or me – and I am fine, I was not hurt in any way – but several of my dogs were hit. One was killed; one’s leg was broken, appears broken; and one is in serious condition with shock and impact.”
Iditarod officials say King requested and received medical attention at the checkpoint.
A suspect has been identified by the village police officer in Nulato, according to the release. Authorities are conducting an investigation.
Alaska State Troopers dispatch, via spokesperson Megan Peters:
AK16018057
Location: Nulato
Type: Assault
Dispatch Text:On 03/12/16 at approximately 0243 hours, the Alaska State Troopers in Galena received a report that five miles below Koyukuk on the Yukon river, Aliy Zirkle, 46, had her dog sled hit on the side by a snow machine and the snow machine turned around multiple times and came back at her before driving off. Zirkle was not injured and one of her dogs was bruised during the incident. Zirkle had another contact with the same snow machine approximately 12 miles above Nulato. The snow machine revved up and was pointed at her and then finally left the area with no further injuries to Zirkle or her team. Another musher, Jeff King, was hit from behind by what appears to be the same snow machine approximately 12 miles above Nulato. One of his dogs was killed in the incident and five of his dogs were injured. King reported that he was not injured. A Trooper is responding to Nulato to continue the investigation.
Iditarod officials say though this incident will greatly alter the race for both King and Zirkle, both plan to continue on their way to Nome.
“I have a sense of loss and anger but also of gratitude that more of my dogs were not hurt or killed or that I was not hurt or killed, because the guy – the snow machine was truly within inches of me at 80 miles per hour,” King said.
