No trace has been found of Chris (Kirsten) Nielsen, about 40, who disappeared in the frigid waters of the Yukon River Tuesday evening. He was on a photographic expedition when he disappeared. Accompanying him on the outing was Russell Allan. He left Allan for a few moments and failed to return. Allan went in search of him but found only tracks leading to the river.
The point at which he disappeared Was relatively shallow and with little current. RCMP undertook an intensive search of the river and the surrounding area but were unsuccessful in their hunt. He is the third man believed lost in the river within recent months. Bobby Auston disappeared without trace this winter and, prior to that, James Graham on Christmas Eve was lost beneath the ice.
Nielsen was a resident at the Alpine Hotel. Max Fuerstner of the Alpine described him as a quiet and pleasant man of a likeable personality. He had few friends but no enemies, living a quiet life pretty much to himself. He had been working in the Mayo area but returned at the end of March to Whitehorse. He had been here previously during the Christmas season and, before that, during the summer.
Mr. Nielsen is believed to have come to Canada from Scandinavia about two-and-a-half years ago.
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, June 11, 1962
The body of Chris Nielsen, about 40, who is believed to have drowned in the Yukon River April 24, was found about 300 yards below the Lewes dam today. The dead man was located by members of the Whitehorse RCMP detachment.
He disappeared while on a photographic expedition with Russell Allan. His footprints led through a fresh snowfall to a shallow spot in the river and did not return. Mr. Nielsen had been working in the Mayo area but came to Whitehorse toward the end of March where he was living in the Alpine Hotel.
He is thought to have come to Canada from Scandinavia about two-and-a-half years ago.
May 5 the body of James Graham was recovered from the Yukon River, after being missing since Christmas Eve. Still missing is well-known resident Bobby Auston who also disappeared this winter.
