Man’s three-day ordeal in frigid wilderness

Lost hope ... Craig Johnson cried as he recalled hearing rescue helicopters flying past him. Picture: ABC USA Source: Supplied

A MAN in Alaska says it is a miracle that he survived for three days in the wilderness, freezing cold and stalked by a wolverine.

Craig Johnson was part way through a 129-kilometre journey in remote northern Alaska when his snowmobile crashed through the ice, leaving him soaking wet, freezing and forced to proceed on foot, US ABC reports.

Mr Johnson first crawled towards the thicker parts of the ice as his snowmobile sank. "I almost gave up ... But I couldn't give up. I had to do it for my boys, my family," he said. "I think it's a miracle that I'm alive."

Remote ... Craig Johnson was rescued after three days lost in the Alaskan wilderness, as temperatures plummeted. Picture: ABC USA Source: Supplied

He was on his way to visit family when the accident happened.

The 38-year-old walked 48 kilometres seeking help while being stalked by a wolverine. "You could hear it on the ice, just playing with me, toying with me," he said.

Wolverines look like small bears, but have a formidable reputation for being fearless, vicious and voracious. Although they feed mostly on the carcasses of dead animals, they are not fussy eaters and have been known to hunt creatures far larger than themselves, including caribou.

Mr Johnson says warning shots failed to deter the predator.

Predator ... Wolverines have a formidable reputation for being fearless, vicious and voracious. Picture: Wikimedia/Zefram Source: Supplied

Eventually, he came across a wooden box and took shelter, crying as he recalled hearing rescue helicopters flying past him. "That third night when they passed right by me — not even 200, 300 yards [183-274 metres] — that's when I lost hope," Mr Johnson said. "I just laid back down in that box I was in. It just felt like that was an open grave for me."

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As temperatures dropped to minus-37 degrees Celcius, a search team drew close to Mr Johnson, led by his cousin Clifford Benson.

Mr Benson said the wind and snow obscured nearly all signs of Mr Johnson, but then he heard him yelling.

Shelter ... Craig Johnson could hear rescue helicopters pass him by from the wooden box he too refuge in. Picture: ABC USA Source: Supplied

"If Clifford didn't saw me, that was going to be my last night," said Johnson. They were going to bring me home in a body bag."

Mr Johnson is currently in hospital being treated for frostbite. His own father died in 1998 after he fell through the ice and drowned.

Survivor ... Craig Johnson is being treated in hospital for frostbite. Picture: ABC USA Source: Supplied

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