Robert Allen Erickson, 63 years old, of North Dakota, was skiing at Bridger Bowl on March 16, 2021 when he fell and sustained head trauma. It was unclear whether he was wearing a helmet at the time. He was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital where he died of his injuries. The cause of death was ruled as blunt force trauma of the neck.
The Gallatin City-County Health Department is saddened to announce that one more Gallatin County resident has passed away from complications due to COVID-19.
The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.
The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.
On Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 10:41 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded to a request for assistance from two individuals whose side by side ATV got stuck in the area of Flathead Pass. The two individuals were cold and needed help getting out.
Volunteers responded and helped the stuck individuals. All parties made it safely out and a Sheriff’s Chaplain assisted with getting the two individuals safely to their residence.
Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.
Even before the flames were fully extinguished, Greater Gallatin United Way and the One Valley Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Southwest Montana Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SWMT COAD), created the Bridger Foothills Fire Relief Fund in response to the community requests. In total, more than $405,000 in funding was raised to assist those impacted by the fire through direct community donations, hosted events, branded product sales, art auctions and other creative, community-driven efforts. Over 861 donations to the relief fund supported 105 individuals from 42 households and provided funds to six organizations that responded to the fire and post-fire needs.
On Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 3:50 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Big Sky responded to a request for assistance from Canyon Adventures for an injured snowmobiler on Buck Ridge. The person was riding on a snowmobile and sustained a lower back injury.
Volunteers responded and helped the injured snowmobiler. All parties made it safely out to the trailhead. The patient was assessed by Big Sky Fire Department personnel and transported to Big Sky Medical Center.
On Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 4:15 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the South Plateau Trail System, approximately 15 miles south of town. Two individuals riding a two seat snowmobile, crashed into a tree while rounding a corner. Both parties were injured, one with significant face and head injuries.
Volunteers responded with two specialized rescue sleds and were able to treat the patients on scene before transporting them off the mountain and into town. The patient was transferred over to the Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and a transport to the hospital.
Photos courtesy of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.
At 3:57 p.m. today, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman Police Department, Belgrade Police Department and the Montana Highway Patrol responded to a report of an attempted kidnapping and homicide-in-progress. The call originated near Moffit Gulch Road and I-90. The suspect vehicle was reported to be traveling westbound on I-90 traveling up to 120 miles per hour. The suspect vehicle was stopped on I-90 near mile marker 304 where both directions of travel on I-90 were briefly closed. Law enforcement was able to detain the suspects without further incident. One adult female was transported by American Medical Response to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All suspects are in-custody at this time and there is no threat to the public. As this is an active investigation, additional details are not available at this time.#####
Media Release: 210310-01 Contact: Patrick Lonergan, 406-548-0111
Spring Flooding – It’s Almost That Time
Bozeman, MT – As Gallatin County moves closer to spring, the risk of spring flooding increases. While we can not predict if Gallatin County will see any flooding in 2021, we know that now is the time to prepare your property in order to minimize the the potential effect of flooding.
The most prevalent cause of localized flooding are obstructed waterways that block the flow of water and cause it to go where you don’t want it. Now is the time to make sure ditches and culverts on your property are clear of debris so we can keep as much water in them as possible.
Additionally, if you feel your property is at risk of flooding, you may want to consider flood insurance. Flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance. Flood insurance has a 30 day waiting period for the policy to take effect, so you can not wait until flooding is imminent to get a policy. Contact your insurance agency for policy information.
Now is also the time to develop a plan on how you will protect your property if you are affected by flooding later this spring. Once flooding occurs, the damage is done. So developing a plan now, and implementing it early is critical to minimizing damage.
A Texas man died in a skiing accident at Big Sky Resort on Friday, March, 5, 2021. Kirby Smith, 60, from Dallas, Texas, was skiing with his son at the time. He died from blunt force injuries to the head. He was wearing a helmet. The details of how the accident occurred are being investigated by Big Sky Ski Patrol.
On Friday, March 12, 2021, the Gallatin City-County Board of Health will hold a special meeting to consider amending a COVID-19 related local public health rule to allow for increased group size limitations for events and group gatherings in Gallatin County.
The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions about COVID-19. Reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123 or email at callcenter@readygallatin.com.
The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.