A tragic incident has occurred at Glacier National Park where a young woman from Western Pennsylvania drowned after a fall earlier this week. The victim, identified by park officials as 26-year-old Gillian Tones of North Apollo, tragically lost her life while visiting the iconic park in Montana.
According to witness accounts, Tones was attempting to navigate the treacherous terrain near St. Mary Falls when she slipped on wet rocks and fell into Virginia Creek. She was then swept rapidly over several smaller falls, eventually becoming pinned underwater by a log. The National Park Service, in a news release by CBS Pittsburgh, stated that "heroic" park visitors worked to quickly extract her from the water. However, despite the immediate response, Tones was underwater for several minutes.
Park rangers, along with bystanders and emergency personnel, engaged vigorously in resuscitation efforts once Tones was brought to shore. However, their attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. Tones was pronounced dead around 7 p.m., approximately an hour and a half after the initial 911 call, as reported by WTAE. A helicopter had landed at 6:20 p.m. in an effort to facilitate her rescue and provide medical assistance.
The death of Gillian Tones is currently under investigation, with an autopsy to soon follow, as stated in a National Park Service bulletin. The incident has brought forward the park's dangers, as drowning ranks amongst the leading causes of fatality within the park's boundaries. Park officials have extended their condolences to Tones' family and friends, asking for the public to respect their privacy during this distressing time.
Glacier National Park, spanning over a million acres, is known for its rugged beauty and is a popular tourist destination. This heartbreaking event underscores the inherent risks present in such wild and natural settings. The dedicated efforts of the bystanders and rescue personnel highlight the valiant attempts often made to save lives in the challenging environment of America's national parks. Park staff have extended their gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue attempt, including the park visitors who did not hesitate to lend aid.
