BOZEMAN – The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office reports that a 72-year-old Bozeman man died on the Jefferson River on Sunday.
According to a news release, at around 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Search and Rescue, Three Forks fire, Willow Creek fire, AMR and REACH Air Medical responded to a report of an unresponsive man in the Jefferson River after the man’s kayak had flipped at the diversion dam, just south of the Sappington Bridge.
Rescuers found Bruce Vanlandingham of Bozeman on an island between Sappington Junction and Williams Bridge. CPR was in progress when responders arrived and continued until the man was pronounced deceased at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. Cause of death is being investigated by the Office of the Sheriff/Coroner.
Sheriff Gootkin stated, “Two people were out on calm water doing everything right and tragedy still struck.” He’s reminding floaters that accidents can happen on the calmest of waters. Ensure you float with a partner, wear a PFD and carry some form of communication in a waterproof container so you can call for help if needed.
