Search and rescue recovers body of 70-year-old man missing on Clark Fork River

Missoula County Search and Rescue crews on Friday recovered the body of a man who went missing on the Clark Fork River earlier this month, the sheriff's department said.

“The body of 70-year-old David Hall was located at today in the Clark Fork River approximately two miles from where the boat he was in overturned last Saturday,” said spokesperson Brenda Bassett. “Search and rescue members recovered his body at approximately 4:45 p.m.”

Search and rescue first began searching for Hall last Saturday after receiving reports that a drift boat had overturned in high water four river miles north of Turah.

One of the boaters made it safely to shore while the other, Hall, was allegedly trapped under a log jam and didn’t resurface.

Crews were forced to suspend their initial search last Saturday due to lightning and again on Sunday after river conditions were deemed unsafe.

“At this time, we would like to thank the crew who have been looking and assessing over the past week,” Bassett said. “We also want to send our deepest condolences to Mr. Hall’s family and friends. While we know there is some closure, it does not take away the pain. Please keep them in your thoughts and your prayers.”