Body of missing rafter found in Flathead River

The body of a 37-year-old Hungry Horse man, missing since a July 17 rafting accident on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, was found in the river about eight miles downstream near Hungry Horse on Aug. 4.

The body of Robert Alsop IV was found in an eddy near the confluence of the main stem and the south fork of the Flathead River, Flathead County Undersheriff Jordan White said. The body has been positively identified as Alsop's and will be released to his family without an autopsy, White said.

The Sheriff's Office had continued searching for Alsop since his disappearance, White said. Personnel used boats, divers and a helicopter, but unusually high river flows along with poor visibility and cold water made the search difficult.

Alsop, who was not wearing a life jacket when the accident occurred, jumped out of his raft about three-quarters of a mile below the Blankenship Bridge to retrieve an oar that had been dropped into the river.

All but one of the six other floaters entered the water in an attempt to rescue Alsop once it became apparent he was in distress. According to the Sheriff's Office, all on board the raft had been drinking.