Two deaths in three days in Yellowstone National Park, as a 65-year-old angler from Iowa was killed after he slipped whole dishing in the Yellowstone River and was carried downstream by the current.

The 65-year old man from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was fishing in the Yellowstone River Thursday near Mud Volcano.  Around noon, he lost his footing while attempting to walk out to a small island in the middle of the river.  The angler was unable to regain his footing and was quickly carried away by the strong current.

Rangers, responding to a call from a witness to the incident, discovered the man nearly six miles downstream, lying face down in the water along the river bank north of Elk Antler Creek. 

Members of Yellowstone’s Technical Rescue Team, who are trained in swiftwater rescue, pulled him from the river.  After he was examined by paramedics, the man was declared dead at the scene.

The victim had underlying health issues which may have contributed to the accident.  The cause of death remains under investigation.  His name is being withheld pending completion of notification of family members.

This is the second death in the Park this week: On Wednesday a motorcyclist was killed when he hit an oncoming camper head-on.

Keep up with what's happening in Yellowstone by signing up for the free weekly Yellowstone Insider newsletter. Subscribe today! More details here.

Follow Yellowstone Insider on Facebook! Click this link to go to our Facebook page, which features story updates.

We've also set up a free Twitter account so you can receive updates on the device of your choice.