3 rescues, 1 fatality in Glacier National Park falls
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
News from Glacier National Park
WEST GLACIER
- Three visitors fell into Avalanche Creek on Sunday, July 6. Shortly after 7 p.m. park dispatch received multiple satellite SOS reports stating that individuals had fallen into Avalanche Creek, and that CPR was being performed on two of the individuals.
A group of four visitors from Florida were gathering for a photo on the rocks above Avalanche Gorge, when one individual slipped and fell into the water, a second and third person trying to help also fell in. Two of the individuals were swept through the gorge while one was able to grab ahold of tree branches in the gorge, waiting for help.
Rangers responded to find both individuals responsive, as bystanders performing CPR were successful in resuscitating the two individuals that had been swept through the gorge. The first ranger on scene was informed of an individual that was trapped in the gorge. The ranger was able to rappel to the individual and secure them while the technical rescue team was assembled and retrieved both the individual and the ranger.
All patients were transported to Logan Health in Kalispell. One patient was transported by ALERT, the second patient by Three Rivers Ambulance, and the third patient by Whitefish Ambulance.
All members involved are in stable condition.
The park would like to thank the park visitors for their heroic efforts that saved two lives, Three Rivers Ambulance, ALERT and the Whitefish Fire Department.
The park reminds visitors that drowning is the number one cause of death in Glacier National Park. Visitors are reminded to watch their surroundings near water. Swift, cold glacial streams and rivers, slick rocks or slippery logs all present dangers. Never walk, play, or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially around waterfalls.
In a separate incident on July 9, a climbing accident resulted in a fatality when a 42-year-old man, Brian Astle of Provo, UT fell while descending a steep, off-trail climbing route from the west face of Mount Gould.
At approximately 5:54 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, Glacier National Park Dispatch received a report of an individual who had fallen from Mount Gould above the Highline Trail. Park rangers worked with ALERT and Two Bear Air to locate Astle. To safely recover the body, recovery was postponed until Thursday morning.
On Thursday, July 10, at approximately 10 a.m., Two Bear Air recovered and transported Astle to the Apgar Horse Corral, who was then transferred to the Flathead County Coroner. An investigation is ongoing, and there is no additional information available at this time.
Mount Gould stands at 9,557 feet, making it the highest point along the Garden Wall in Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park officials would like to thank ALERT, Two Bear Air, and Flathead County Sherriff’s Office for their support. The park extends their deepest condolences to the family and asks the public to respect the family’s privacy.
