MISSOULA — Authorities in Missoula County say two snowmobilers who died after falling through the ice on Seeley Lake were taking a shortcut home instead of riding around the lake.
The sheriff’s office identified the victims as 25-year-old Derek Flesch of Pablo and 28-year-old Kurt Starkel of Belgrade. Their bodies were found floating in the water.
A third man pulled from the water Friday night was in stable condition at a hospital. His identity hasn’t been released.
Sheriff’s deputy Bob Parcell tells the Missoulian a group of five snowmobilers had come over a nearby pass and spent the day in and around Seeley Lake.
Parcell says the group had dinner at a pizza restaurant in Seeley Lake and took a shortcut across the lake to get home.