| Hazard Codes: | Blast rock, Low Head Dam, High Water, Hydraulic/Keeper Hole, Man-made Debris Strainer, Pin/Broach, Rocks that cause blunt trauma, Natural Strainer or Sieve, Water Temp, Waterfall |
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| Initial Report: |
Kayaker likely drowned because of injury
Posted by: "Tom Vines" tvines3@msn.com tvines3
Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:33 pm (PDT)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_40e96af2-8a3b-11de-a2d5-001cc4c03286.html
Billings Gazette
Kayaker likely drowned because of injury
Posted: Saturday, August 15, 2009 11:30 pm
MISSOULA - The state medical examiner said a 55-year-old Butte man who died in a weekend kayaking accident on the Clark Fork River west of Missoula probably drowned as a result of minor head trauma.
Mineral County Undersheriff Mike Johnson said the evidence that Gary Markovich hit his head rules out earlier speculation that a heart attack might have contributed to the drowning.
Markovich was kayaking in the Alberton Gorge on Sunday afternoon when he rolled his kayak. Witnesses said he was able to grab onto another kayak but slipped off and inhaled water as that person was trying to get him to shore.
Montana River Guides owner Mike Johnston was leading a group of floaters in the area and tried to help Markovich. Johnston said Markovich had a small cut on his brow, but it was hard to determine whether the injury was consistent with head trauma.
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