Kayakers rescued from Flathead River logjam

Two kayakers were rescued from the Flathead River on Tuesday evening after they were caught in a logjam.

According to Evergreen Fire Rescue Chief Craig Williams, the kayakers were upriver of the bridge across Montana 35 near Evergreen when they became stuck.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office river rescue team and Creston search and rescue responded and pulled the kayakers from the river. They were then taken to the Spruce Park RV Resort where Evergreen and Creston first responders were waiting.

Both of the young boaters, one a female, the other a male, seemed to be OK, but paramedics examined them.

“This area is well known for water rescues over the years,” Williams said. “We train here and there are a lot of large logs in the river that can cause problems for boaters if they aren’t paying attention to their surroundings and respectful of the power of the water.”

Williams said the river was flowing a lot higher than it normally does at this time of year. He also recommended all boaters wear personal flotation devices.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker can be reached at (406) 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.