On July 25, at about 5 p.m., Lake County 911 took a call from two kayakers on Flathead Lake who were requesting a water rescue due to sudden harsh conditions on the water, according to a press release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

One of the two had gone in the water prior to the 911 call. By the time Search and Rescue reached the pair, they were both in the water. Though Lake County Search and Rescue responded immediately, it was approximately 40 minutes before the kayakers could be taken out of the water. By then they were suffering effects of hypothermia. 

The two people were wearing personal flotation devices, the release stated.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds boaters to wear PFD’s and always be aware that conditions on Flathead Lake can change rapidly, “turning a pleasurable day into a sudden nightmare.” 

“It takes time to muster a response to these emergencies, and time to travel across this huge body of water to reach those in need of help,” Sheriff Don Bell said. “This is one of many calls our search and rescue have been busy with this summer, many of which resulted in successful rescue efforts, and sadly, one drowning. The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank our search and rescue units for their great work and volunteerism for our community.”