Searchers find body of man who drowned Sunday

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Aug 27, 2008 at 8:47 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2008 at 8:47 PM MST

SIDNEY - Authorities have recovered the body of a 46-year-old Sidney man who drowned in the Yellowstone River while trying to help his sons get out of the water.

The Richland County sheriff says the body of Mark Basta was spotted by an aircraft shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday near the Seven Sisters Recreation area south of Sidney. Sheriff Brad Baisch says Basta was fishing Sunday evening with his two sons. Witnesses said the boys were in the river, went out too far and were struggling to get back to the riverbank.

Basta went in the water about 5 p.m. to help and was unable to return to the bank. The boys made it safely back to land. Basta's body was found about three miles north of the recreation area.

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