Kayaker's body found near Big Bull Island

POLSON BAY - Rescuers found the body of missing Polson doctor, Robert W. McDonald around 2:45 p.m., July 25 in Flathead Lake south of Big Bull Island.

Search and rescue crews worked sun up to sun down for seven days in the search of McDonald, who disappeared from his one-man kayaking excursion July 19, and was not wearing a life vest.

Scanner traffic began buzzing around 2:45 July 25 when rescuers using code words like "the item" triangulated their teams to recover the body.

Leader staff asked about the first set of traffic calls and was told the item was driftwood, hit by a boat. Lake County Sheriff's Public Information Officer Karen Sargeant said rescuers cannot confirm or deny a body until it is identified and next of kin are notified.

A crew aboard Two Bears Helicopter first spotted the body, according to Sargeant. Lake County Sheriff's Office Marine Enforcement retrieved the body and transported it to shore, where it was flown to the Missoula Crime Lab for autopsy. 

Two Bears Helicopter was assisted in the search by a host of other search and rescue crews representing about 20 people. Avon K-9 search and rescue dogs were used in the search, Sargeant said.

Soon after the news of McDonald's disappearance around 12:30 p.m. July 19, many area residents assumed McDonald was the well-known communications director for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, since McDonald is a common name. But Doctor Robert William McDonald was an infectious disease specialist who received his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, according to the US News and World Report website. McDonald was in practice for six years and began his service at St. Joseph's in Polson in September 2013.

During the search for McDonald, rescuers worked through wind and wet weather.

Sargeant said search and rescue personnel will no undergo a normal debriefing process and if anyone needs counseling, professional services will be provided for them.