Pennsylvania woman drowns near St. Mary Falls

Sunday afternoonA 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman drowned after falling into the water above St. Mary Falls on the east side of Glacier National Park.

According to witnesses, the woman was swept away by the falls and trapped underwater for several minutes. Bystanders pulled her from the water below the falls and administered CPR until help arrived. Park rangers and Babb ambulance personnel performed CPR upon arrival. The ALERT helicopter landed nearby around 6:20 p.m. and assisted in resuscitation efforts, but the victim never regained consciousness. Resuscitation efforts were halted around 7 p.m. and ALERT personnel pronounced the woman deceased.

Park Dispatch received several 911 calls routed through Glacier County Dispatch at approximately 5:20 p.m.. Park rangers were on site around 5:45 p.m..

ALERT transported the body to the 1913 Ranger Station near St. Mary, MT where they were greeted by the Glacier County Coroner around 7:30 p.m.. The coroner transported the body to the medical examiner in Missoula, MT, for an autopsy.

The death remains under investigation and additional details are still being gathered. The next of kin is currently being notified before releasing the woman's name.

Park staff would like to thank Glacier County, ALERT, Babb Ambulance and US Border Patrol for their support, as well as many bystanders for their immediate assistance.

The park extends its deepest condolences to the woman's family and friends and asks the public to respect her privacy.