Accident Database

Report ID#64087

2024-09-14
accident date
Unidentified Man
victim
n/a
victim age
Flathead, Middle Fork
river
n/a
section
n/a
location
n/a
gage
n/a
water level
II
river difficulty
Other
cause code(s)
Hypothermia
injury type(s)
Cold Water, Solo Paddling, Inexperience, One Boat Trip
factors
Private
trip type
Whitewater Kayak
boat type
status?
status

Description

Two Bear Air Rescue provides aviation support for Search and Rescue operations in Montana, Idaho, Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon. Philanthropist Michael Goguen supports all costs of this program. On September 14th they were dispatched to search for a kayaker who had been floating the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The kayaker had failed to arrive at the takeout before dark. They were able to locate the paddler with an infrared camera. He had flipped his kayak several times and had become hypothermic. He was able to make it to shore and await rescue. He was flown to Glacier International and transferred to Evergreen Ambulance for further treatment and transport.