Sheriff IDs man who fell into Lower Flathead
A helicopter from Two Bear Air contributed to the search for a man who reportedly fell into the Flathead River below the Selis Ksanka Qlispe Dam Overlook Wednesday afternoon. (Brett Berntsen/Lake County Leader)
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Friday released the name of the man who on Wednesday fell into the Lower Flathead River below the Séliš Ksanka Ql’ispé Dam overlook.
A search is still ongoing for Richard Mitchell, 23, of Minatare, Nebraska, who reportedly fell after crossing the guardrail at the overlook with two other people, both from Gering, Nebraska.
Sheriff Don Bell stated in a press release that the trio was working their way down to the cliff face, east of the scenic lookout, when the incident occurred.
Lake County Search and Rescue has brought in a specialized dog team to assist officials from Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ fish and game department as they continue searching the river for signs of Mitchell.
Two Bear Air helicopter has flown the river several times in an attempt to locate the man.
Bell told the Lake County Leader on Thursday that search efforts spanned an approximately 40-mile stretch of river, between the dam and Dixon.