Tragedy as entire family vanishes at sea in freezing waters
Horror has unfolded in Alaska as an entire family have gone missing at sea after the boat they were sailing on capsized and sank in freezing waters.
Mary and David Maynard, a travelling nurse and stay-at-home dad respectively, are missing as well as their two sons, Colton, 11, and Brantley, seven.
The last known location of the family, from Texas, was upon on a 28ft aluminium vessel, joined by four others on Saturday 3 August, according to Coast Guard Travis Magee.
He further stated that the boat began taking on water around 7pm, as reported by the Anchorage Daily News.
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A radio broadcast was received that notified officials of a call for help from the vessel. The boat that responded, Salty Sea, rescued four people from a life raft.
Those rescued didn't have any injuries, it was confirmed on 4 August.
The Coast Guard then began to search for the missing family within the area.
Conditions were described as having waves reaching two feet and winds less than five knots when the boat tragically capsized, according to authorities.
The Coast Guard search incorporated a helicopter, plane, cutter and two other vessels.
Alongside this, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers joined the search as well as good Samaritan boats.
The search was suspended on 6pm on 4 August.
Christi Wells provided a statement on behalf of Mary Maynard’s parents on Monday 5 August.
She noted that Colton and Brantley love to play football, and loved to travel and spend time with family and friends, as they were doing during their time in Alaska.
The Coast Guard Petty Officer, Shannon Kerney told KCEN-TV: "Any time we make a decision to suspend a search and rescue case is a very difficult one to make.
"Cases that are suspended, they're only suspended pending the development of new information.
"If anything comes to light, any new information that we get, we're more than happy and willing to go out and continue our search.
"Our hearts are definitely with the families right now as they grieve."
The Daily Mail reports that the news of the Maynard's disappearance was broken by a family friend on Facebook.
As per the report, Stetson Chase posted: "I kindly ask for prayers from everyone possible.
"While we may not have been best friends, we just knew each other through sports and our kiddos, I think I can vouch for many that they were a wonderful, caring and loving family that deserves to be brought home."
Kya Buller