Body of Ronan man recovered from river

The body of a 21-year-old Ronan man was recovered from the Flathead River near Buffalo Bridge on Thursday at around 11 p.m., according to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell.

Lake County 911 received a call at about 5:15 p.m. Saturday, July 18, about a man, 21-year-old Dayton Conrad, who had been swept away in the Flathead River, west of Polson, after jumping from cliffs near Buffalo Rapids. This is a popular jumping spot on the river.

It was reported Conrad was with a friend and the two were jumping into the river from the cliffs. When Conrad jumped from the cliffs, he was unable to swim to shore and was witnessed by his friend being pulled under by the current. The friend left the area to obtain cellphone service to contact 911.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Search and Rescue, Two Bear Air Rescue, and Finley Point Fire assisted in the search. Managers of SKQ Dam reduced the amount of water pouring over the spillway to aid in the search.

According to Bell, Conrad’s family wished to express their gratitude to all the search and rescue departments that assisted in recovery.