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Accident Database: Accident #556
| River: | Big Fork |
| Water Level: | Medium |
| Accident Code(s): | Long Swim (L.S.) |
| Injury Code(s): | Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal, Fatal |
| Experienced/Inexperienced: | Inexperienced |
| Private/Commercial: | Commercial |
| Boat Type: | Raft |
| Number of Occupants: | 3 |
| Number of Victims: | 2 |
| Initial Report: | A dam on the Big Hole River in Montana proved fatal to some unwary rafters over Memorial Day Weekend. An Associated Press dispatch forwarded by Slim Ray reported that the river was quite high, swollen by snowmelt and recent rains. After the raft capsized in the hydraulic, two men were able to swim to shore. Their companions, Sandra Townsend, 48, and Roxie Oakes, 22, drowned. Survivors said that fast currents prevented the party from taking out upstream of the drop. |
| Report Status: | Completed |
