A woman has tragically died after being swept away by a river in Alaska while trying to reach the abandoned bus made famous by the book and film Into the Wild.
Newlyweds Veramika Maikamava and Piotr Markielau, both 24 and from Belarus, were among many people to have attempted the pilgrimage.
When they attempted to cross the Teklanika River, which was running high and fast due to recent rain, Veramika was swept away. By the time her husband pulled her out, she was already dead.
According to a statement from Alaska State Troopers, Piotr called them on the Thursday night to notify them of what happened.
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Troopers turned up to the scene to collect Veramika's body, which has been sent to the Alaskan medical examiner where an investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
Fairbanks Bus 142 - or the 'magic bus', as it's also known - has become somewhat of a landmark in recent years following the popular adaptations of the true story, which centres around Christopher McCandless.
The former student hiked into the Alaskan wilderness with little food and equipment in a bid to reject modern consumerist society and live as an off-grid adventurer.
However, having spent the summer living in the bus, McCandless was found dead almost four months after setting out.
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The trail itself is known to be treacherous, with numerous hikers reporting injuries along the way. However, deaths are less common, the last one occurring in 2010 when Claire Ackermann drowned attempting to cross the Teklanika River.
In 2016, hikers Michael Trigg and Theodore Aslund had to be rescued from the area by a mission that involved more than 20 people and one helicopter.
Speaking about the incident, hiker and Alaska native Erik Halfacre told VICE: "They left with an unrealistic idea of when they'd be back.
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"They could've ensured that someone wouldn't launch an expensive rescue for them by having a turnaround time and sticking to it - but they didn't."
Incidents of people attempting to make the journey across the trail have risen ever since Sean Penn's film Into the Wild, based on Jon Krakauer's book of the same name, was released in 2007.
The movie stars Emile Hirsch as McCandless, alongside Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt as his wealthy parents.
Although it has inspired many people to seek the great outdoors and explore the natural world around them, Alaskan troopers warn anyone thinking about visiting the magic bus to consider the dangers posed by the trek.
Featured Image Credit: Paramount VantageTopics: US News