Valley County Man Drowns After Falling Through Ice

The Valley County Sheriff is reporting part-time Valley County resident Carl Mann drowned the morning of Nov. 20 after falling through the ice covering the Trout Pond near Fort Peck, Mont. He was 71 years old.

Sheriff Tom Boyer told the Courier, Mann was out hunting when his dog traveled out onto the ice and fell through. After the dog was unable to self-rescue, Mann attempted to retrieve the dog and fell through the ice as well. After several failed attempts to rescue the dog and himself, Mann eventually succumbed to the cold and slipped under the ice.

Valley County Search and Rescue recovered Mann’s body at 11:25 a.m. after a search and recovery. They were assisted by Long Run Fire Department, Frances Mahon Deaconess EMS and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Mann was from the Bitterroot area and lived in Fort Peck partially throughout the year. He and his wife owned the Fort Peck Hotel. He was also an avid outdoorsman and 30-year hunting guide.