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Libby Man Killed in Landslide

Man was excavating near an old mine adit when he was buried

By Justin Franz

A 54-year-old man was killed in a small landslide near Libby on Aug. 7, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Cliff Auge of Libby and another man were excavating land near an old mine adit along Granite Lake Road when the slope they were working near collapsed. According to Sheriff Roby Bowe, about 40 yards of soil and rock came crashing down, completely covering Auge and burying the second man up to his knees.

The second man, who was identified as the property owner, was unable to dig himself out so he screamed for help. A worker nearby responded and helped free the property owner, who then called 911. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Libby Volunteer Fire Department and Libby Volunteer Ambulance all responded to the incident.

Due to unstable slope conditions it took more than five hours to recover Auge’s body.