A motorist found himself in a sinking situation Tuesday after his Jeep ended up in the Flathead River at the Old Steel Bridge Fishing Access site. 

Fire and rescue crews responded late Tuesday morning to a tilted, partially submerged white Jeep Wrangler about a dozen feet from shore. The driver was the Jeep's sole occupant, and no injuries were reported, according to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Robert Hensley.  

“He drove down here to look at the water, and accidentally drove off the edge, and then he couldn’t get out, is basically what he told me,” Hensley said. “He was just saying he was going to look at the water to see how deep it was for floating, and then he drove to the edge” and the loose rocks underneath the Jeep started giving way.  

Evergreen Fire and Rescue Capt. James Boyce said Creston Fire Department was first to respond because the vehicle was initially thought to be situated in its jurisdiction, but it actually fell under Evergreen’s.  

Two Evergreen Fire and Rescue ambulances and one engine were at the scene. A Flathead County Office of Emergency Services truck and Summit Fire and Security personnel were also present.  

When Hensley arrived, he said he had to instruct other cars driving on the beach to leave. Signs indicate that only cars launching boats are allowed on the shore. 

Cars often go off-roading around the access site and find themselves stuck. It happens three to four times a year, according to Boyce.  

While the Jeep’s driver was given a warning, Hensely said operating a vehicle on the riverbank could result in an $85 fine. 

Montana Code 61-8-371 states: “Operation of motor vehicle or off-highway vehicle below high-water mark on certain state or federal lands prohibited.” 

“If there’s a sign that says you’re not allowed to do it, don’t do it, you know. Follow the laws,” Hensley said.   

Hensley and Boyce emphasized that such incidents could potentially contaminate the water with leaking gas, oil or other fluids that must be contained.  

“Simple mistakes create a lot of risk, a lot of effort, a lot of energy out here for everybody else to do,” he said.  

A floating barrier was placed around the car after fuel was seen leaking from the vehicle. A tow truck later pulled the Jeep from the water.  

The driver of the Jeep, who remained at the scene, declined to comment.

Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].   

    Scott Kornblum, a firefighter and paramedic with Evergreen Fire and Rescue, places an absorbent boom around a partially submerged Jeep Wrangler that was driven into the Flathead River at the Old Steel Bridge Fishing Access on Tuesday, July 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider