MCLA: Iowa Midfielder Thomas Plotkin Presumed Dead After Hiking Accident

A search continued Tuesday for Iowa midfielder Thomas Plotkin, who went missing on September 22 while hiking near the Ganges River in India.

The junior international business major was in India for a semester with the National Outdoor Leadership School and leading a hike of five students while instructors followed. He twisted his ankle and fell off the cobblestone trail near Munsiari, India, which is adjacent to a steep drop to the river.

Two instructors immediately began a search and more staff and technical gear arrived on site Tuesday morning to assist in the search. Given the terrain, it is believed Plotkin fell into the river and extensive searches have also begun almost 25 miles downriver.

The search has involved more than 100 people, including NOLS staff, local government agencies and local residents. 

A NOLS instructor located a backpack on Monday that is believed to be Plotkin's. The pack, which washed up just over a mile away from the site of the accident, is now in the hands of local authorities and the search efforts will focus heavily on the area when the search resumes Wednesday morning.

After days of searching with no success, it is presumed that Plotkin did not survive. 

Plotkin, a Minnetonka (Minn.) native, scored a goal and added an assist in seven games for the Hawkeyes last season. The team released the following statement on their website:

"The team is deeply saddened by the news that one of our own players, Thomas Plotkin, went missing while studying abroad in India and is presumed to have passed away. Tom was hiking above the Ganges River on Thursday when he fell 100 yards and went missing. Tom was a junior midfielder who prided himself on winning groundballs and out-hustling his opponents. His passion and love for both the game and his teammates were unparalleled, and his friendship is something we will always treasure. Tom was truly loved by everyone who knew him. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends during these difficult times."