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Victim of Missoula Clark Fork River car incident identified

Conor Ballantyne

The Missoula County Sheriff's/Coroner's Office has identified the victim of yesterday's river recovery as 71-year-old Melvin Arthur Beedle. 

Beedle's red car careened off a fast food parking lot late Tuesday afternoon, into the river and and quickly carried downstream. Witnesses said they saw a man in the car, but did not see him exit.  A team of about 50 emergency responders collaborated to find the fully-submerged vehicle. Firefighters then braved the full and fast-moving waters of the Clark Fork River to attach a line to the car, extricate Beedle's body and remove the SUV from the river. The exact cause and manner of Beedle's death have not yet been determined.

Edward O’Brien first landed at Montana Public Radio three decades ago as a news intern while attending the UM School of Journalism. He covers a wide range of stories from around the state.
edward.obrien@umt.edu.  
(406) 243-4065
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