LCSO investigating mystery surrounding injured man found in Lincoln Gulch

The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s office is leading an investigation into how a critically injured Great Falls man wound up in the woods in Lincoln Gulch north of the old Lincoln Cemetery, two miles from where his rental car was discovered four days earlier.

Sheriff Leo Dutton told the BVD the injured man, who’s name has not yet been released, was discovered Aug 24. by an individual walking up a trail doing some metal detecting.

The man with the metal detector, who also happened to be from Great Falls, heard moaning and found the man with unspecified injuries and black plastic wire wrapped around his leg. He rendered what first aid he could before heading back down the trail to call 911.

Lincoln Ambulance responded to the call and he was flown to St. Patrick’s hospital in Missoula by Reach Air Ambulance.

A local resident spotted his abandoned car, a new Mustang, on Moon Drive Aug. 20 and notified Deputy Chris Joyce personally. Joyce was off duty, but called it in himself.

Contrary to rumors that have proliferated in the last week, the man was not found tied up with barbed wire, nor tied to a tree, but Dutton said they’re not sure how or why he ended up with the wire around his leg.

Rumors about the case have been rampant and Dutton said they’ve heard the same ones, but that so far, he said every rumor is just speculation as to why the man ended up where he did.

Although Dutton said it’s apparent foul play was involved, they haven’t been able to interview the man, who remains in critical condition.

LCSO is working with other law enforcement agencies on the case, but it remains their investigation.