Two Tourists Severely Injured in Separate Fatal Mishaps Near Alaska Glacier

Tragedy struck near Alaska's Mendenhall Glacier as two tourists died in distinct incidents, the local authorities confirmed.

The first victim, 69-year-old Thomas Casey from Arizona, embarked on a hiking journey close to Juneau, Alaska's capital, on Saturday. Unfortunately, he did not reach his intended return point by the next day, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers explained.

Casey had left for his hike without a detailed plan, but his mobile device sent location signals from between trails near the Mendenhall Glacier area.

Teams from Juneau Mountain Rescue and rescue dogs conducted searches based on the phone signal. By late Monday, they located Casey's body on the glacier's west side, attributing his death to injuries from a fall. His remains were sent to the state medical examiner for review.

A separate disaster unfolded on Tuesday when an Italian traveler went missing, reportedly swept into a stream on the Mendenhall Glacier.

While traveling with others, the Italian man reportedly slipped into a narrow ice opening while being forced through the stream. His companions quickly lost sight of him.

A specialized ice rescue team responded but faced conditions too perilous to seek the individual. The search was paused pending further information.

Efforts to inform the Italian man's family were underway as of Wednesday. CBS News reached out to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for more updates.

Stretching approximately 13 miles, the Mendenhall Glacier extends from an ice field near Juneau to a lake at the base. Its proximity and easy access make it a favorite among tourists.