A Glacier National Park Visitor Died in Lake McDonald
At around 9:00 Tuesday morning, March 26, a concerned family member called park dispatch to report a missing person. According to Glacier National Park Spokesperson Lauren Alley, the missing person was a 48-year-old man from Arizona.
“Rangers went out into the park and located the man’s vehicle at Lake McDonald Lodge,” Alley said. “We started a ground search and also called the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team to help us out with a water related search. The dive team did locate him deceased in the water.”
Alley says no foul play is suspected and the death remains under investigation by Glacier National Park.
“We didn’t have any witnesses to the incident so some things may never be known,” Alley said. “It is certainly probable that he fell trough ice or slipped in some way. Each season brings something different in terms of hazards. Right now, throughout many cold areas in the north, lakes are melting. People and pets should definitely stay off of the ice.”
Water is a leading cause of death in Glacier National Park. The victim’s name has not been released pending the conclusion of family notifications.