Deaths, medical incidents in Glacier
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News from Glacier National Park
WEST GLACIER – Glacier National Park personnel responded to a series of unrelated medical incidents July 28 and 29, including two visitor deaths from cardiac arrest in two separate incidents.
On Monday, July 28, a 67-year-old male from Indiana was hiking in the St. Mary Falls area with his wife on a ranger-led program Monday afternoon when he went into cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated by a park ranger and other hikers. ALERT and the Babb Ambulance responded. The hiker was declared dead at the scene. Glacier County Sheriff’s/Coroner’s Office responded to the incident.
Later that afternoon, a 79-year-old female visitor lost consciousness while hiking the Loop Trail approximately one mile from the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Park rangers arrived on scene and provided medical assistance. ALERT and Three Rivers Ambulance responded to the area, but the woman was able to hike out on her own. As park rangers were leaving the trail, they also assisted a young boy displaying signs of heat illness.
Also, a 61-year-old male from Illinois was visiting Logan Pass when he experienced chest pain and shortness of breath at the Hidden Lake Overlook. The visitor was transported by ALERT to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Then, at approximately 5:15 p.m., a 51-year-old male, also on the Loop Trail, was experiencing difficulty due to a kidney stone. He was hiking on the trail about two miles from the trailhead. Park rangers, fire crewmembers and other park personnel responded and transported him to a landing zone where ALERT was waiting to transport him to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. today, Tuesday, July 29, a male hiker from California, age 75, needed medical assistance while on the Iceberg/Ptarmigan Trail near Many Glacier. CPR was initiated by his family, and park rangers responded with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and continued rescue efforts. ALERT responded to the area. The hiker was declared dead at the scene. Glacier County Sheriff’s/Coroner’s Office responded to the incident.
Although not all medical-related incidents are avoidable, visitors are reminded to to think of their personal safety and well-being when hiking: allow plenty of time to hike at a comfortable pace, stay properly hydrated and nourished and be aware of their hiking skills.
