Search continues for man who fell into 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)
Lake County Search and Rescue President Jared Bell signals a helicopter from Two Bear Air during a 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 area below the Selis Ksanka Dam Overlook, where a man reportedly slipped into the Flathead River Wednesday afternoon, is closed due to swift water and treacherous slopes. (Brett Berntsen/Lake County Leader)
A 23-year-old Nebraska man is feared dead after falling into the lower Flathead River below the Selis Ksanka Qlispe Dam Overlook May 31.
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said in a press release issued Tuesday that authorities were concentrating search efforts for Richard A. Mitchell of Minatare, Neb., after specialized cadaver dogs identified an area of focus. Bell said Lake County Search and Rescue will use underwater cameras to canvass the location this week, noting that high river levels have hampered efforts so far.
Mitchell reportedly slipped into the turbulent river after climbing down a closed section of cliffs below the east side of the overlook. According to the press release issued last week, Mitchell was accompanied by Marissa A. Scott and Nathaniel B. Garcia, both of Gering, Neb. The three had climbed over the overlook railings, ignoring multiple signs warning of steep slopes and swift, dangerous currents, the release states.
A bystander who wished to remain anonymous told the Lake County Leader that they were visiting the overlook just downstream of the dam around noon on May 31 when Mitchell’s companions came running up the cliffs requesting someone call 911.
The dam’s operating company, Energy Keepers Inc., issued a Facebook post last week stating that engineers temporarily reduced discharge rates to help with search efforts. After two hours the river was returned to a rapid pace of 43,000 cubic feet per second, about 150 percent of the average rate for this time of year.
“Our thoughts are with the missing person and their family,” the post stated. “We would like to remind all our visitors to follow all posted placards and stay within the designated visiting area.”
Bell said in Tuesday’s press release that the overlook area will reopen Wednesday after being closed for about a week to help with the investigation. He said the search has included teams from Lake County, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Fish and Game, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as well as a helicopter crew from Two Bear Air.