Tools

Update: Body of Missing Swimmer Found Near Cascade

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Jul 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2009 at 10:00 PM MST

A missing swimmer has been found dead after an apparent drowning. The 24-year-old man has not been identified yet but Cascade County Search and Rescue says he was swimming at a popular point on the Missouri River about 10 miles south of Cascade before he was swept under by the powerful current late Thursday (7/2).

Searchers recovered the man's body Friday (7/3) afternoon after he was spotted by a fisherman about a half-mile downstream from where he and a friend jumped into the river at about 8 p.m. Thursday. Search and Rescue says that other man was able to swim safely to shore but the strong current and frigid waters were apparently too much for his friend to overcome.

"The water flows are extremely high and the water temperature is far colder than most people realize," said Cascade County Search and Rescue Commander Mike McCloskey. It just takes over your body and you lose control of body functions, and it happens very quickly."

Those who use the river often say the Mountain Palace fishing access site is a popular but dangerous area for swimmers who often dive into the 30-foot waters from the surrounding cliffs.

"It's really kind of turbulent looking when I canoe through there," said Dan Dust, a frequent area visitor. "They just do it by the tons and tons. It doesn't look too safe to me."

McCloskey says this tragedy serves as a reminder of just how dangerous Montana's waterways can be.

"The river current and the temperature are the most difficult things. You have to be extremely careful this time of year."

The Cascade County Sheriff's Department and the Cascade and Dearborn volunteer fire departments also participated in the search.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls & Helena Weather

Icon
Great Falls Great Falls Intl Airport, MT
Current Temp 21.0 °F
Overcast
Wind : East at 3.5 MPH (3 KT)
Pressure : 1023.5 mb
Humidity : 68 %
Icon
Helena Helena Regional, MT
Current Temp 16.0 °F
Fair
Wind : Southwest at 3.5 MPH (3 KT)
Pressure : 1024.8 mb
Humidity : 88 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video