HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The father of two boys who died in a western Montana irrigation canal in 2010 is suing the U.S. government for wrongful death and negligence.

Harry Beauchamp, Jr., filed the lawsuit on behalf of his deceased sons, Harry Beauchamp III and Dennis Beauchamp.

The lawsuit says 8-year-old Dennis walked onto a footbridge over the Dry Creek Canal to take a picture when he slipped and fell into the water.

Harry Beauchamp III jumped in after him and both were swept away by the 30 mph waters. Their bodies were recovered miles away.

The canal is part of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project southeast of St. Ignatius.

A government attorney denied the allegations in a response Monday and says the hydrology crossing the boy was on is not a footbridge.

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