Two Bear Air Rescue, a nonprofit helicopter rescue service based in Kalispell, posted a video showing one of two dramatic rescues they made on Monday, June 29.
"June 29th, was a busy day here at Two Bear Air Rescue," the service posted on social media. "We started the day with the hoist rescue of an injured logger near St. Regis, Montana and finished it with the hoist of three individuals whose raft had flipped and thrown them out in the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Essex."
The raft incident occurred in the Spruce Park area.
A video of a rescue conducted by Two Bear Air on the Middle Fork Flathead River on June 29, 2026.
Two Bear Air
"One of the rafters was recovered two river miles below the others," Two Bear Air wrote. "The group had been on a multi day trip and the recent rain had swollen local rivers. All the individuals were successfully hoisted into our helicopter, one having sustained minor injuries that were treated. The subjects were turned over to Three Rivers EMS for further evaluation."
Many rivers in western Montana are running high right now with the recent rainfall, and recreationists are advised to be extremely cautious and always wear personal floatation devices.
David Erickson is the business reporter for the Missoulian.Â
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