Posted on 08/28/2009 4:33:00 PM PDT by Sir Valentino
A state official with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks confirmed Friday morning that Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., and four other individuals were injured Thursday night when their 22-foot motor boat ran aground on Flathead Lake.
"There was a serious boating accident near Wayfarers State Park between 10 p.m. and midnight," said Jim Satterfield with FWP. "There were five occupants on the boat, including two public officials."
The occupants of the boat included Rehberg and state senator Greg Barkus, a Kalispell Republican. Satterfield said nearby campers heard the crash when the boat hit rocks at Wayfarers State Park near Bigfork.
All five occupants were injured in the crash, Sattefield said. Three were transported to the hospital by life flight and two by ambulance. All five victims, including Rehberg, were listed in stable condition at 9:45 a.m., according to Satterfield. Two were members of Rehberg's staff, according to FWP officials.
"The park is closed pending an official investigation, and will remain closed tomorrow," Satterfield said.
By early Friday afternoon, onlookers in boats were beginning to gather near the accident site, staring at the wrecked boat, which sat completely out of the water at about a 45-degree angel at the southern end of the park, where the shore is extremely rocky.
Satterfield said investigators will look at a variety of factors including the boat itself and who was driving it. Other factors will include speed, lifejackets, and whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
"Those are common in any accident investigation," he said.
Rehberg's office has yet to comment on the incident and the Flathead County Sheriff's Office is refer-ring all calls to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Check back later for more details.
An Amen to that!!!
Assuming the injuries are not life-threatening, I will tepidly ask why people are out boating between 10 p.m. and Midnight? Isn’t that asking for trouble?
Fishing at night. Sounds like a lovely thing to do on vacation.
Speeding at night. 5 mph is the law and for good reason. I was in a boat doing 25 at right after dusk and which grounded. Luckily a long, slick mudflat—right next to big rocks. The Lord was looking over me and my best friend. Prayers for all.
I’m glad he’ll be all right.
Congressman Denny Rehberg is a terrific guy and a staunch Conservative. Prayers up for speedy recoveries for all.
That said, Flathead Lake experiences quite a few boating accidents. It isn’t as forgiving as most other lakes.
Congressman in surgery to repair ankle broken in boat crash
More here
You don’t fish, do you?
I remember parking my dads boat like that during the daytime. He was not amused. I confused the throttle with the gear thingy ... ;^)
Ouch, poor guy.
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