Heroic actions save lives at Glacier National Park after visitors fall into Avalanche Creek

The brave actions of Glacier National Park visitors saved lives this past weekend.

Shortly after 7 p.m. on Sunday, park dispatch received multiple satellite SOS reports stating that people had fallen into Avalanche Creek, and that CPR was being performed on two of the individuals.

A group of four visitors from Florida were gathering for a photo on the rocks above Avalanche Gorge, when one individual slipped and fell into the water, a second and third person trying to help also fell in. Two of the individuals were swept through the gorge while one was able to grab ahold of tree branches in the gorge, waiting for help. 

Park visitor Mike Skidmore and his family members jumped into action when word quickly spread that people had fallen into the water.

“We immediately turned around and ran and jumped into the water, didn’t really know what we were looking for at that point,” Skidmore told 3KRTV.

Skidmore and his relatives began searching in the chest-high, near-freezing waters and soon found the first person, who was completely submerged. Skidmore’s brother, who is a doctor, started CPR on the woman right away and she began to be responsive after about a minute.

Afterwards, they found the second person also fully submerged and linked arms to retrieve him from the river. Skidmore, who is CPR certified, performed CPR on the man. After about 3 to 5 minutes of CPR, he also became responsive.

First responders from the park rappelled to the third individual to secure them while the technical rescue team was assembled and retrieved both the individual and the ranger.

Speaking on the rescue, Skidmore said, “Obviously we knew we were in some risk to ourselves, but I think we all kind of agreed that we knew the limit of not to turn into a victim ourselves but still be able to help them, so it was just no question to jump right in.”

In a release, the park thanked Skidmore and other park visitors whose efforts saved two lives.

Drowning is the number one cause of death in Glacier National Park, and the park urges visitors to watch their surroundings near water. Swift, cold glacial streams and rivers, slick rocks or slippery logs all present dangers. Never walk, play, or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially around waterfalls.