(UPDATE, SATURDAY) The rescue took about two hours, and emergency personnel had to contend with rain and darkness. The person was alert and talking, and was taken to Benefis hospital; the nature and extent of the person's injuries has not been disclosed.
Travis Bring says that he and a friend were the ones who initially saw the person and called 911. Bring says that he and his friend were near the overlook area at Crooked Falls when they saw what they thought was a badger, and they ran to the edge of the overlook and saw the injured person and called for help.
We will update you if we get more details.
(UPDATE, 11:59 pm) Great Falls Fire Rescue says that it has completed a rope rescue of the person.
They said that the person was "was over 150’ off a cliff to the river."
No other information has been released.
(UPDATE, 10:04 pm) Great Falls Fire Rescue says that it is a "complicated technical rescue" of a person who fell off the cliff.
(1st REPORT, 9:49 pm) Emergency crews are conducting a rescue operation along the River's Edge Trail near the Missouri River.
It's happening near Rainbow Dam on the northeast side of Great Falls.
Initial reports indicate that the person may have slipped or fallen and then slid down the embankment, possibly more than 100 feet, and is only a few dozen feet from the river and holding on.
Emergency personnel were called out at about 8:45 p.m.
Responding agencies include Great Falls Fire Rescue, Cascade County Search & Rescue, and Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department; we have also received a report that Malmstrom Air Force Base has been asked to assist.
We will update you when we get more information.
