Body of drowning victim recovered

LIBBY (AP) — Officials in Northwest Montana have recovered the body of a Missoula man who fell off a pontoon boat and drowned in Middle Thompson Lake nearly three weeks ago.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said the body of 62-year-old Anthony Joseph Bachman was recovered at about 11 a.m. Thursday morning from Middle Thompson Lake and taken to the coroner’s office.

Bachman fell off the boat on Aug. 16. His body was recovered in about 75 feet of water. 

He was not wearing a personal flotation device, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office indicated that alcohol was a major contributing factor in the accident. 

Middle Thompson Lake is about 45 miles southeast of Libby.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, divers from David Thompson Search and Rescue and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search, using dog teams and sonar equipment.