3 FL Tourists Rescued From Gorge At Glacier National Park

WEST GLACIER, MONTANA — Three tourists visiting from Florida were rescued after falling into Avalanche Creek at Glacier National Park on Tuesday evening, according to the National Park Service.

A group of four visitors from the Sunshine State gathered for a photo on the rocks above Avalanche Gorge just after 7 p.m. when one person slipped and fell into the water.

Two other people fell in trying to help them, NPS said.

While two of the people were swept through the gorge, the third was able to grab onto tree branches and wait for help.

Park rangers responded to find the two individuals who had been swept away responsive as bystanders performed CPR on them.

The first ranger at the scene was told of the third person, who was trapped in the gorge. They were able to rappel to that person and secure them while the technical rescue team was assembled and retrieved both the ranger and the person who fell.

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All patients were brought to Logan Health in Kalispell. One person was brought to the facility by ALERT, a second by Three Rivers Ambulance and the third by Whitefish Ambulance. They were all in stable condition.

Drowning is the number one cause of death in Glacier National Park, according to NPS.

“Visitors are reminded to watch their surroundings near water. Swift, cold glacial streams and rivers, slick rocks or slippery logs all present dangers,” rangers said. “Never walk, play, or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially around waterfalls.”

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