Bigfork man dies in Hungry Horse Reservoir; kayakers rescued from Flathead River
TAYLOR INMAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 2 weeks AGO
A view of Hungry Horse Reservoir from the Canyon Creek boat launch on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (JP Edge/Hungry Horse News)
Taylor Inman covers Glacier National Park, health care and local libraries for the Daily Inter Lake, and hosts the News Now podcast. Originally from Kentucky, Taylor started her career at the award-winning public radio newsroom at Murray State University. She worked as a general assignment reporter for WKMS, where her stories aired on National Public Radio, including the show “All Things Considered.” She can be reached at 406-758-4433 or at tinman@dailyinterlake.com. | August 1, 2024 2:00 PM
Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Monday recovered the body of a Bigfork man who drowned in Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Authorities received a call July 28 for a man who had entered the water in the Wounded Buck area of the reservoir, according to a Sheriff’s Office release on Thursday. A boat crew responded to the scene, over 5 miles away, but could not find the victim.
On July 29, boat crews and divers located and retrieved the deceased body of 63-year-old Randel Gilpin of Bigfork. Gilpin was not wearing a life jacket when he entered the water, according to authorities.
Additionally on July 28, Flathead County deputies, Evergreen Fire, Creston Fire and Flathead Search and Rescue responded to a call for a kayak that had flipped with victims trapped on a log on the Flathead River.
Responding crews successfully rescued a 42-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl during the incident. The rescued individuals were not wearing life jackets, according to the release.
Both search and rescue operations happened while authorities continued searching for Emily Rea, a missing paddleboarder last seen near the Riverside Boat Launch in the Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Flathead County Sheriff’s Office officials urged boaters and swimmers to use life jackets for safety.
