Missoula man drowns in Middle Thompson Lake

A Missoula man drowned Saturday on Middle Thompson Lake after falling off the bow of a moving pontoon boat.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Anthony Joseph Bachman, 62, of Missoula.

Bachman fell off the boat at about 6:10 p.m. near Logan State Park. Witnesses aboard the boat attempted to rescue Bachman but were unsuccessful. Bachman was not wearing a personal flotation device.

An emergency call to sheriff’s dispatch was made about 10 to 15 minutes after the incident. Personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with the Two Bear helicopter.

A search for the body continued until after dark Saturday, and then resumed all day Sunday. The search remained active on Monday. 

Divers, dog teams and sonar equipment have been used to search the area where Bachman disappeared in about 160 feet of water.

Sheriff Roby Bowe has been continually on the scene and personally notified Bachman’s family. There is a joint investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Initial indications are that alcohol consumption was a major contributing factor to the incident.