Search continues, man believed missing in Yellowstone River

COLUMBUS, Mont. – Stillwater County officials planned to continue a search Thursday for a man believed missing in the Yellowstone River near Columbus.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Tammie Mullikin says search dogs showed strong interest in an area under the ice about 10 to 20 feet from where the man is believed to have fallen into the water on Monday night.

Divers did not feel it was safe to enter the frigid water on Wednesday.

Mullikin says crews were drilling through the ice and using underwater cameras to further search the area.

The search for the man began Tuesday after a park caretaker found a bicycle near the river. A Columbus police officer spotted tracks leading to the river but none leading away. Officers interviewed area residents who said they thought they heard someone yell at about 6 p.m. Monday.