Search underway for man who fell into Flathead

Search and rescue teams continued to comb the lower Flathead River on Wednesday afternoon for a man who reportedly slipped into the water below the Selis Ksanka Qlispe Dam Overlook.

According to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell, a helicopter crew from Two Bear Air was released from the effort after searching the section of river between the dam and Buffalo Bridge unsuccessfully. Bell said ground crews were coordinating how to proceed downstream.

The subject of the search reportedly fell into a stretch of turbulent water after climbing into a closed section of cliffs beyond the overlook railing, despite multiple signs warning of swift currents and steep, dangerous slopes.

A bystander who wished to remain anonymous told the Lake County Leader that they were visiting the overlook around noon when two individuals running up the cliff face below the overlook asked them to call 911.

The man was estimated to have fallen into the water between five and 10 minutes before.

Bell said dam operators attempted to reduce the flow of the river to help with rescue efforts. Nevertheless, flows remained at a rapid pace close to 40,000 cubic feet per second, according to statistics from the United States Geological Survey.

Search efforts included teams from Lake County Search and Rescue, Polson and Ronan Rural Fire Departments, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and SKQ Dam personnel. A raft from Glacier Raft Company also contributed to the search.