Rafters rescued after being dumped in Middle Fork of Flathead
A rafter is escorted to the ALERT helicopter after the raft in which he was riding overturned in the Middle Fork of the Flathead River on Tuesday afternoon near Essex. (Photo courtesy of Greg Speasl of Essex)
Five rafters escaped serious injury when their raft overturned in the Middle Fork of the Flathead River on Tuesday afternoon. The Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a 911 call just before 2 p.m. that the incident had occurred near Izaak Walton Inn Road southeast of Essex.
All five persons, who were not identified, were helped to shore. The ALERT helicopter flew to the scene to aid the rescue. One person suffered minor injuries, and the other four were not injured, according to a report.
Several Flathead County agencies assisted with the rescue. No further details of the incident were available.