Man rescued from Clark Fork River by Missoula law enforcement coordination

MISSOULA, Mont. – Missoula law enforcement agencies worked together to rescue a man who was found in the Clark Fork River.

The Missoula Police Department said the rescue effort started “just before” 2 a.m. on Tuesday after officers found an unoccupied vehicle stopped on the Russell Street Bridge.

“Based on information available at the time, officers were concerned the vehicle's owner may have entered the Clark Fork River,” the department wrote.

Officers searched the area, but could not find the person.

As they continued their search, a Missoula County corporal near the Mullan Road area heard a man yelling for help from the river. The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone and found a man clinging to vegetation in the river.

They worked with Missoula police and identified him as the 64-year-old owner of the vehicle. Missoula Fire Department River Rescue worked with the two agencies to safely rescue the man from the river, the Missoula Police Department said.

“Incidents like this show the importance of strong partnerships and the coordinated efforts of public safety personnel working toward a common goal. We are thankful this situation had a positive outcome,” the Missoula Police Department wrote in its statement about the rescue.