Rehberg aide transferred to Missoula hospital

The Daily Inter Lake

Dustin Frost, the most severely injured passenger in the Aug. 27 Flathead Lake boat accident involving U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, left Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Thursday morning for Community Medical Center in Missoula.

Kalispell Regional spokesman Jim Oliverson said Frost left by ambulance at 7:40 a.m. Thursday. He said the move places Frost closer to his family during his physical rehabilitation.

Frost, the state director for Rehberg, had been treated for a severe closed head injury at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

"As Dustin's condition has continued to steadily improve, his medical team has determined he is now ready to begin rehabilitation treatment," Frost's family said in a statement on Thursday.

At the Rehabilitation Center in Missoula, the family noted, "Dustin will continue down the road to a full recovery."

"We are sincerely blessed to have such a tremendous support network for Dustin and our family," the family continued. "The thoughts and prayers of so many friends, neighbors, relatives, colleagues and even kind strangers from all across Montana have helped us along this journey.

"Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to all wonderful people at KRMC. We will be forever grateful for all they have done for Dustin and our family."

Frost, 27, was injured when he was thrown from the boat piloted by Greg Barkus that apparently hit submerged rocks near Wayfarers State Park and was thrust onto rocks on shore. The accident remains under investigation.

Passengers included his wife, Kathy, and Rehberg's Deputy Chief of Staff Kristin Smith, along with Frost and Rehberg. The others were injured but all were released from the hospital last week.

Rehberg returned to work this week in Washington, D.C., following surgery in Kalispell for a broken ankle. He is getting around with the aid of a walker and crutches.

Greg Barkus is at home in Kalispell recovering from significant injuries of his own, including a fractured pelvis, a couple of fractured ribs, a possible hairline fracture in his right ankle, cuts on his legs and a painful left knee.