Boy, family OK after separate river rescues in Glacier Park

Glacier National Park Rangers responded to two water rescue incidents July 15.

At about 12:30 p.m., a child fell into McDonald Creek near Red Rock Point along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Later that afternoon, a family flipped over in a raft on the North Fork of the Flathead River.

There were no injuries in either incident.

According to a Park press release, a family from Georgia was participating in a red bus tour when they made a stop at Red Rock Point. The family’s 12-year son was playing on a log and fell into McDonald Creek. He was swept downstream about 20 yards in a constricted and steep area with very fast moving water.

A man visiting from Wisconsin jumped in the creek, retrieved the boy and safely got him to the other side of the creek. Rangers responded with an inflatable kayak and life jackets, and transported the boy and the man safely back across the creek.

As the Red Rock Point incident was happening, rangers were also responding to the North Fork to search for a family believed to be separated from a flipped raft.

Recreationists at the Flathead National Forest Glacier Rim area along the Flathead River, about 12 miles north of Columbia Falls, observed a cooler, some plastic bags with personal belongings and a life preserver float down river.

Park rangers, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Two Bear Helicopter and members of the North Valley Search and Rescue responded to the incident. A family from California, two adults and two children, were flipped as they were rafting. All individuals had life jackets.

After the raft flipped, the river current carried them a short distance down river, and to the park side of the river. Crew aboard the Two Bear Helicopter spotted the family and a boat was dispatched to pick them up and transport them to their vehicle. Individuals were wet and cold, but there were no injuries.

Both the incidents Tuesday come of the tails of a tragic accident on McDonald Creek on July 12. A 33-year-old Washington state woman taking photos near the creek slipped and fell into the fast-moving water. She was swept over a 30-foot water and carried about a half mile downstream. She later died at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Park officials remind recreationists to be cautious near and on water. Drowning is a major cause of fatalities in the park.

Many of the lakes, rivers and streams still have high and fast moving water at this time. Park visitors are reminded that wading in or fording swift moving water should be avoided.

Never walk, play or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially near swift moving water or waterfalls, officials warn. When boating and rafting, always wear a life jacket.