HELENA — The drowning death of a Montana man in a reservoir has been ruled accidental by authorities.
The Independent Record reports 57-year-old Murray Fladeland was found floating in the Canyon Ferry Reservoir east of Helena.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton says “drugs and alcohol were definitely a factor” in the accidental drowning in August.
Dutton says there were no signs of foul play.
A fisherman in a canoe found the body in a small cove near the Fish Hawk campground.
Dutton says Fladeland had camping and fishing gear in a camp set up at Fish Hawk and a car parked at the campground.
Dutton says evidence suggests Fladeland was climbing a sharp bank when he lost his footing and tumbled into the water.