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Rehberg injured in boat crash

| August 27, 2009 11:00 PM

U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., was in stable condition in a Kalispell hospital Friday after a boating crash Thursday night.

He was one of five people injured when a 22-foot motorboat ran into rocks after 10 p.m. on the shore of Flathead Lake, according to Jim Satterfield, regional supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Campers heard the crash, went to the scene and called 911, Satterfield said.

Kalispell Regional Medical Center confirmed that Rehberg remained hospitalized Friday morning.

Also hospitalized was state legislator Greg Barkus, a Republican state senator from Kalispell.

Three people were transported by ALERT helicopter and two by ground ambulance to Kalispell Regional. All were in stable condition Friday morning.

The crash occurred at Wayfarer's State Park, which has been closed during the investigation of the crash.

In addition to the Fish, Wildlife and Parks boating accident team, the Montana Highway Patrol and Flathead County Sheriff's Office are involved in the investigation.

Town-hall meetings Rehberg had scheduled in Cut Bank and Shelby on Friday have been canceled.

Rehberg had been in Polson on Thursday visiting St. Joseph Medical Center and Tribal Health Services.