Missouri man drowns in Middle Fork after crossing goes awry
Loneman Mountain in Glacier National Park looms above the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. (Hungry Horse News FILE)
A man trying to cross the Middle Fork of the Flathead near Essex to go camping drowned, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Richard Ross, 40, from Oak Grove, Missouri, was attempting to move gear from one side of the river to the other using a small raft when he fell and was swept downstream around 10 p.m. Sunday, according to an updated release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday about 3:47 a.m. the department received a report of a missing person.
The other people in the party had to walk to a residence to get phone service, which caused the delay.
Search and rescue along with Two Bear Air and the Alert helicopter searched the river for the subject, but were unable to initially locate the individual.
The Middle Fork is currently still running high and swift, with a wetter than normal June and early July and an above normal snowpack.
The Middle Fork at West Glacier is currently at 3.97 feet. Safe crossing on foot is typically at 3 feet or less.
This is the second drowning in the Flathead River system this summer. People are urged to wear lifejackets and to know water conditions before heading out.