A man is dead and another is recovering from hypothermia after their vehicle went into the Dezadeash River near Haines Junction last Friday night.

Vines Smith-Geddes and his stepson, Charles Greenwalt, were parked by the side of the river talking, the RCMP believe.

When they went to leave, the driver "probably made a misjudgment" and drove into the river instead of away from it, Cpl. Kim MacKellar of the Haines Junction detachment said this morning. It's not known who was driving.

The vehicle was swept down the river some ways before it came to rest in the shallows.

Smith-Geddes' 30-year-old stepson got himself out of the vehicle. Police believe he then kicked in a window, fracturing his foot, and pulled out his stepfather.

The younger man dragged the 72-year-old to shore, but could do no more as they were on the opposite side of the river from the village, separated from help by the frigid water.

Smith-Geddes' vehicle had a disabled driver decal in the window, but MacKellar said police do not know if his disability prevented him from getting out on his own.

After escaping the vehicle, the two men waited in near-freezing temperatures for more than eight hours.

At around 8 a.m. Saturday, two hunters spotted the flame of a lighter flickering in the bush. When they investigated, they found the two men.

Greenwalt was freezing, but alive. Smith-Geddes was not. Police have not determined when Smith-Geddes died during the night.

Greenwalt was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital, treated for hypothermia and a fractured foot and released. He is in good condition, said Judy Gingell, speaking for the family.

Smith-Geddes, a former Teslin resident, was visiting the community of Champagne Aishihik from Selma, Oregon.

His wife and son have been contacted and are on their way to the Yukon, Gingell said.

She is asking that any of Smith-Geddes friends or family contact her immediately at (867) 334-4553.

The family is gathering on Saturday morning to make funeral arrangements, she said.