A 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman visiting Glacier National Park in Montana plunged to her death after falling into a waterfall and drowning, park officials said.
The woman, whose name has not been released, fell into the water Sunday above St. Mary Falls, a 35-foot-high waterfall, during a popular hike on the east side of the park, a said the National Park Service in a press release.
Witnesses said the young woman was swept away by the falls and was stuck underwater for several minutes before someone pulled her out of the falls.
The good Samaritan administered CPR to the woman until help arrived, park officials said.
Park dispatch received multiple 911 calls about the drowning around 5:20 p.m., with park rangers rushing to the scene at 5:45 p.m.
Authorities said an ALERT helicopter landed nearby around 6:20 p.m. and assisted in resuscitation efforts, but the woman never regained consciousness.
Resuscitation efforts were stopped around 7 p.m. and the woman was pronounced dead, park officials said.
ALERT transported the woman’s body to Ranger Station 1913 near St. Mary, Mont., and met with the Glacier County coroner at 7:30 p.m.
The woman’s body was taken to the medical examiner in Missoula, Montana, for an autopsy.
“Park staff would like to thank Glacier County, ALERT, Babb Ambulance and US Border Patrol for this support, as well as many passersby for their immediate assistance,” the National Park Service said in a statement.
They added: “The park extends its deepest condolences to the woman’s family and friends and asks the public to respect her privacy. »
The death is currently under investigation.
Authorities say they will notify the woman’s next of kin before releasing her name.
New York Post
