Two Bear Air rescues stranded driver in North Fork

A New Jersey man lost for two days in the mountains near Polebridge was air-lifted to safety May 23.

According to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, the 21-year-old man was located in the Whale Creek drainage of the North Fork of the Flathead River.

The man’s vehicle became stuck on Thursday, May 21. When he was unable to free the vehicle he set out on foot.

The man was reported missing May 22 and a search was initiated the next morning when his vehicle was located.

Just before midnight on May 23 the man used a light on his cell phone to signal a helicopter crew from the Whitefish-based Two Bear Air Rescue. The helicopter is equipped with night vision technology.

The man was found off trail in steep and heavily forested terrain. He had lost his shoes and was dehydrated, but was in otherwise good condition, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

The search involved the Border Patrol, Forest Service, North Valley Search and Rescue and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.