Man drowns in Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier Park

A 22-year-old former Glacier Park Inc., employee drowned in Swiftcurrent Lake on the east side of Glacier National Park early Tuesday morning. The body of James R. Greene of Harrisburg, Pa., was located shortly before noon about 20 feet from shore in about eight feet of water.

Greene and 29-year-old Joseph "Clay" Nelson from Spring, Texas, were in a canoe that capsized about 3 a.m. Tuesday in Swiftcurrent Lake. Greene and Nelson reportedly attempted to swim to shore, but only Nelson made it safely. Park rangers were notified of the incident about 3:30 a.m.

Nelson is a current employee of Glacier Park Inc., and works at the Many Glacier Hotel.

Rangers report that at the time of the incident the temperature was in the mid to upper 40s, and it was not raining. Nearly 20 National Park Service employees searched the area Tuesday morning. A dive team was also requested from Flathead County.

Greene's body was sent to the coroner's office in Glacier County. The National Park Service is requesting an autopsy as part of the investigation.