Categories: Travel

Alaska’s Famous ‘Into The Wild’ Bus, Airlifted For Safety Concerns

The attraction has caused "dangerous and costly rescue efforts," according to officials.

Alaska’s popular “Into The Wild” bus has been airlifted by authorities after it has been deemed dangerous.
Visitors loved to see the abandoned vehicle due to the popularity of the 1996 book and 2007 movie.
According to local officials, removing the bus is “the right thing” especially since several trekkers have gotten injured, stranded, and have even died trying to reach the attraction.

It’s been a popular tourist attraction near Alaska’s Teklanika River and Denali National Park and Preserve. However, authorities have finally decided to remove the ‘Into The Wild’ bus as a safety measure.

The abandoned bus gained popularity because of a 1996 non-fiction book by Jon Krauker and a 2007 movie directed by Sean Penn. The story is about Christopher McCandless who shunned his privileged life to trek across North America. He later died in the bus due to starvation.

Also called “Bus 142” or “The Magic Bus,” the old vehicle has served as an emergency shelter for many hikers and hunters.

Authorities, on the other hand, have often expressed concerns about the number of people visiting the location because of the risks involved during trekking.

Commissioner Corri Feige of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources said:

“We encourage people to enjoy Alaska’s wild areas safely, and we understand the hold this bus has had on the popular imagination. However, this is an abandoned and deteriorating vehicle that was requiring dangerous and costly rescue efforts.
“More importantly, it was costing some visitors their lives.”

Several tourists have reportedly been injured, stranded, or even drowned after attempting to visit the site.

Case in point, five tourists from Italy and one tourist from Brazil has been rescued in April alone.

Alaska National Guard officials used a Chinook helicopter to fly the bus out of the area.

Mayor Clay Walker of Denali Borough also remarked:

“For public safety, we know it’s the right thing. At the same time, it is part of our history and it does feel a little bittersweet to see a piece of our history go down the road.”