UPDATE, 6 p.m.: Search and rescue crews are continuing to look for a missing diver in Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
Inclement weather temporarily halted the search Monday afternoon, but Capt. Kevin Wright of the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office said responders hope to be back on the water after it passes.
Wright said the LCSO Water Emergency Team and Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue are searching an area just north of Cemetery Island. The water is about 30 to 50 feet deep there.
“Any time you have a water emergency in a lake this size, I would say it’s a difficult area,” said Wright.
Wright said several people were on the water in a rented pontoon boat, and two men were diving. Wright said one man began having trouble, and the other went into the water to help him.
The second diver was eventually brought to shore and taken by ambulance to the hospital. There is no word yet on his condition. Crews have not yet found the first diver.
Wright said they will keep searching until it gets too dark to continue. If they have not found the man by then, they will return around 8 a.m. Tuesday to pick up the search.
A number of agencies responded to this incident. In addition to LCSO and Search and Rescue, they included Tri-Lakes and East Valley Volunteer Fire Departments and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
UPDATE 4:20 P.M.: Search and Rescue crews are continuing to comb the northwest section of Canyon Ferry Reservoir for a missing diver.
Dispatchers received the call that two divers were in trouble around 2 p.m. Monday.
Searchers launched from Yacht Basin and are searching the area around Cemetery Island.
According to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, one diver was having equipment trouble and a second diver went in to help him.
The second diver had to return the surface. He was brought to shore where he then was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
The sheriff’s office says it will continue to search while light and conditions are good, but if they can’t find the man by dark they will have to continue their search in the morning.
HELENA- Search crews have responded to Canyon Ferry Reservoir to search for a diver in the water.
The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office says its Water Emergency Team has been dispatched and boats from East Valley and Fish, Wildlife and Parks are assisting with the search.
Crews have launched from Yacht Basin on the west side of the reservoir.
The Sheriff’s Office says a second diver was brought to shore.
The condition of the second diver is not immediately known.
This is a developing story we have a reporter on the scene and will update you when we know more.
