A woman visiting Glacier Park fell into McDonald Creek near the upper falls Saturday and was swept downstream by the swift current.
In a press release, Glacier National Park officials say that the initial investigation shows a 33-year old woman from Buckley, Washington, was with her husband along McDonald Creek – near the bridge below the upper McDonald Creek Falls – when she slipped and fell into the creek.
Her husband attempted to jump in after her but was unable to reach her before she was swept further downstream.
A visitor on an interpretive tour in the area saw the woman being carried downstream and the interpretive park ranger leading the tour notified park dispatch of the situation at around 3 p.m.
Park spokeswoman Denise Germann says rangers responded and found the woman near the outlet of McDonald Creek into Lake McDonald, about a ½ mile from where she fell in. She was carried over Lower McDonald Creek Falls.
Park rangers and visitors performed CPR on the victim, who was flown by ALERT helicopter to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
According to Missoulian story Saturday evening, park rangers are conducting an investigation, and the conditions of the woman were unknown at that time.
Visitors are reminded to use caution around all bodies of water, especially this time of year when it is cold and fast moving.