Family of man missing after vehicle went into Yukon River asks for help with search

The family of anArizona man who remains missing after a vehicle went into the water near the Lewes River bridge south of Whitehorse isasking Yukoners to help search for their loved one.

Knate Ostenso's family say they "have hope" after learning he may haveescaped from the pickup truck that missed the blue bridge and slid into the Yukon River in the early hours of Monday morning. They're hopeful that Ostensomay be alive and now lost somewhere in the woods.

They are asking anyone who can help with the ground search efforts to coordinate through Yukon Search and Rescue.

A specialized RCMP dive team from B.C. arrived on Wednesday to search underwater.Police have confirmed that Ostensowas not found in the submerged vehicle.

Ostenso was one of two men from Phoenix, Ariz.,that were inside the pickup truck when it went into the water. RCMP said earlier that the other man escaped the vehicleand received medical treatment.

The truck was hauling a trailer of Volkswagen vehicles from Alaska to Arizona. Ostenso's wife, NorineMihajlovich, says Volkwagens are Ostenso's "absolute passion."

Ostenso's stepson Matthew Mihajlovichsaid Ostenso travels all across the country finding Volkswagen vehicles to restore.

"So yeah, traveling to pick them up is nothing new for him, but this was his first trip bringing him down from Alaska," Matthew said.

Ostenso was helping his friend Seth Jorganson transport the vehicles to Arizona.

"He is a person that is there to help people," said Ostenso's stepdaughter, Gabrielle Mihajlovich. "Everyone in the community knows that."

According to Ostenso's family, Jorganson was driving the truck south on the Alaska Highway towardthe Lewes River bridge early Monday morning when he saw headlights coming towardhim. Dark and foggy conditions that morning made it difficult for Jorganson to see the road ahead of him. Ostenso's family says the headlights appeared to Jorgansonto be in the middle of the bridge and he swerved to avoid the oncoming vehicle. Next thing he knew, hewas in the Yukon River andthe cab wasfilling with water within seconds.

Ostenso's family says Jorganson escaped the vehicle and swam to shore. He has since received medical treatment and remains in Canada at this time.

"We're very grateful that his [Ostenso's]friend was able to get out," Mihajlovich said. "That's a large blessing."

NorineMihajlovichhopes her husband was also able to escape and will be found. She calls Ostenso a "fighter."

"I know my husband, he won't stop. He is definitely a survivalist," she said.

"I know it's not a huge community, but the more people that can help get out there on foot, or people have thermal drones they could donate to the RCMP to get a bigger search area going," Norinesaid. "He might leave signsso please look for those little things that you wouldn't normally look for."

Ostenso's stepdaughter says the family is "grateful" for the support they've received from the local community.

"These people in the community have really been a blessing to us, so much," Gabrielle said.

"There are people who don't even know our last names, who have been calling us, who have been praying, who have been giving us updates."