Two Bear Air locates injured snowmobiler

MISSOULA — A man who believed his friends were stuck in an avalanche was seriously injured when he crashed his snowmobile into a metal gate as he rode to their rescue in the dark.

Missoula County officials say the would-be rescuer called 911 at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday to pass on the avalanche report before leaving on his snowmobile.

Search-and-rescue teams responded along with a private rescue helicopter from Two Bear Air based in the Flathead Valley.

Officials said the man was thrown from the snowmobile when he hit the gate.

Two Bear Air pilot Jim Pierce said the helicopter crew spotted him at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday during the search for the supposed avalanche victims.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Brenda Bassett said the two men who called the victim said they had gotten stuck on their snowmobiles but were not in an avalanche.