Search and rescue pulls Jeep from creek

Members of David Thompson Search and Rescue were called to Libby Creek near the end of Spencer Road Saturday to respond to an incident in which a Jeep was driven off the road and into the creek. The vehicle was almost completely submerged in the swift water until rescuers were able to secure it to a tow truck and pull it to dry ground.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game warden Tamie Laverdure, along with Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy Brandon Huff and emergency management deputy director Lisa Oedewaldt responded to the scene.

The driver, a 25-year-old woman, was shaken up but unharmed. A male passenger was taken to the hospital, checked and released, Laverdure said.

Details on the exact circumstances of the incident were not disclosed, as the case is still under 

investigation. Laverdure said there have been several incidents of off-roading or mud-bogging in the area, which is private property.

“We have three of four cases currently under investigation,” she said. 

While some consider the off-roading to just be fun and games, Laverdure said the activity could be prosecuted as felony criminal misconduct.

Ray Keeler of C and R Towing said he was called to the scene late Saturday morning by the driver, but declined to provide assistance at the time because the Jeep was under so much water and the current was moving so quickly.

“I got called out here this morning,” Keeler said. “But I told her I wasn’t willing to get into that water to try and hook it up.”

The volunteers of David Thompson Search and Rescue were called in to assist. Oedewaldt said the crews use situations such as this for swift-water training.  Keeler returned once search and rescue arrived to hook up the vehicle.

Kenny Rayome, one of the search and rescue volunteers, went into the water to secure the vehicle. He looped a tow strap through the open front windows and seatbelts of the vehicle. The cable from the tow truck was then attached and the Jeep was dragged upstream to the bank and pulled out of the water.

During the procedure, the vehicle turned onto it’s side and the unmistakable smell of gasoline wafted through the air. 

“Normally we’d use absorbent pads to capture the gas,” Oedewaldt said. “But in this current it wouldn’t do any good, they’d just get swept downstream.”

Laverdure expressed her appreciation for the search and rescue volunteers and the work they do in the community.

“We’re fortunate to have this resource here,” she said.

As the vehicle was dragged up the steep incline back to the road, a soft-side cooler fell out from which spilled empty beer cans.

“I can’t comment on that, as the investigation is ongoing,” Laverdure said.