On July 12th, 2023, at around 1600 hours, a boat crash was reported on the Missouri River downstream from Widow Coulee Fishing Access Site (FAS) near the mouth of Highwood Creek. Three occupants were in the boat at the time of the crash and were all uninjured from the crash. The boat was capsized and left in the river overnight.

On July 13th, 2023, the operator of the vessel arrived at Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Regional Office in Great Falls, Montana to be interviewed about the crash. The operator said he and the two occupants launched from Widow Coulee FAS at around 1400 hours. After going downstream approximately two miles the operator stopped the boat and one of the occupants dropped the anchor which was tied off to the back of the boat. The bow of the boat was facing upstream and when the anchor was dropped, it turned the bow downstream. With the current and anchor being off the back of the boat. The current swamped the rear of the boat by flowing over the transom, and the operator and occupants were not able to get the anchor removed or engine started. The operator and occupants left the vessel and swam to the bank of the Missouri river. The operator and occupants were picked up from the riverbank by US Border Patrol helicopter and returned to Great Falls. The operator said he would contact a tow company to recover the vessel.

On July 14th, 2023, the vessel was recovered from the Missouri River approximately one-half mile downstream from the mouth of Highwood Creek. Photographs were taken of the vessel prior to being removed from the river. Once removed from the river extensive damage was done to the transom of the vessel. The transom of the vessel was attached to the boat only by the throttle cables of the outboard motor which was still attached.

END OF REPORT.
Missouri River
NOT IN CITY LIMITS            