Kalispell man injured in Gallatin County fall

According to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, a 23-year-old Kalispell man was injured in a fall Saturday.

Information from authorities indicated the man fell while climbing Practice Rock in Hyalite Canyon, located in a remote area south of Bozeman.

Gallatin County Search and Rescue, Hyalite Fire Department, American Medical Response, REACH Air Medical Services, and Central Helicoptors responded to Practice Rock at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

It was reported the man suffered a significant head injury when he fell while climbing.

Rescuers from SAR’s Alpine Team and Posse, assisted by some proficient flying from Central Helicopters, were able to evacuate the man to medical care in about an hour.

“This was a technically difficult rescue,” Sheriff Brian Gootkin said. “We are grateful for the skill of our search and rescue volunteers and the help from other agencies. It is not easy to get an injured person out of that area but the SAR Team is really good at what they do.”

The Sheriff’s Office reported that the climber was flown to Billings, was reported to be doing well and expected to recover. The injured man’s name has not been released.