Watercraft #1 was heading back to Salmon Lake State Park from gathering wood on the west shore.  Watercraft #1 was motoring in a SE direction around an island back towards the State Park when Watercraft #2 collided with them.  Watercraft #2 was motoring in a W or slightly SW direction around the same island Watercraft #1 was trying to get around.  Both watercraft collided bow to bow at approximately a 45 degree angle with Watercraft #1 being on the right hand side of the collision and Watercraft #2 on the left hand side of the collision.  Pictures were taken of both (See attached photographs).  Watercraft #2 should have yielded the right of way to Watercraft #1.  After the collision, operator of Watercraft #1 jumped out of the boat to attempt a rescue on the unconscious driver of Watercraft #2 .  Operator vessel # 1turned Operator vessel # 2 face up in the water so he would not drown but did not want to move him for fear of neck, head, or spine injuries.  During this time, the wife of Operator vessel #1, could not stop the boat so she turned the motor off using the key.  This possibly flooded the boats motor making it inoperable or unable to start again.  Another boat nearby did not see the collision but did hear it.  That boat, belonging to Witness #1 and #2 responded when they heard people calling for help.  Upon arrival, several occupants in Witness boat helped load operator #2 on the ski deck at the rear of the boat and they transported him to shore at the State Park.  Operator #1 could not get his boat running and had to be towed in to shore.  Warden  first spoke with  Operator #1's family and got their statements.  Operator #1 agreed to take a Breath Test and showed a blood alcohol reading of .000 or no alcohol in his system.  Driver of Watercraft #2 was not given a Breath Test due to him being transported in an ambulance to Saint Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula nor was he able to give any statements.  If needed, a blood alcohol test may be performed for operator #2 from blood taken at the hospital if it was done.  Operator #'s Family and Perator #2 are the only witnesses that actually were involved and seen what happened.  All others only heard the collision and cries for help.
Seeley Lake                   