An East Catholic High School student was rescued after being trapped for five hours against ice in the crevasse of a glacier in Alaska on Saturday.
KTUU, the NBC affiliate in Anchorage, reports that Kurt Schenher, 16, of Tolland, was hiking with his younger brother at the Worthington glacier when he fell about 50-feet into the snow ridge and was wedged inside.
The dramatic rescue included crews rappelling down to Schenher, who was suffering from hypothermia because his skin had been against the ice for so long, according to KTUU.
The Schenher family issued a statement in response to requests for interviews.
"Thank you to all the agencies and individuals who participated in our son’s successful rescue and recovery. We are grateful beyond words. Kurt’s condition is fair and improving, and we’re optimistic he will make a full recovery. We thank you for respecting our family’s privacy during this time."
Schenher is a student at East Catholic in Manchester, where is involved in athletics, according to the athletic director.
He is listed as being on the school football team.
Schenher is at Providence hospital in Alaska and his condition was upgraded from “guarded” condition to fair.
