BURST(NEXSTAR) — Three people from Florida were taken to the hospital after falling into water at Glacier National Park while taking a photo.
Rangers at the Montana park said they received several satellite SOS reports for individuals who had fallen into Avalanche Creek on Sunday.
All three had been preparing for a photo with a fourth visitor from Florida on some rocks above Avalanche Gorge when one slipped and fell into the water, rangers explained. Two members of the group tried to help them, only to fall in themselves.
While one grabbed onto tree branches, the two others "were swept through the gorge," according to Glacier rangers.
Before emergency crews arrived, they were alerted that CPR was already being performed on the visitors who became caught in the gorge. Bystanders were able to successfully resuscitate both individuals, who were "responsive" when rangers arrived at the scene along Avalanche Creek.
A ranger had to rappel down to the third individual, who was trapped in the gorge. A technical rescue team was then called in to retrieve them both.
All three, who were listed in stable condition, were taken to an area hospital.
Drowning, as it is in many national parks, is the leading cause of death at Glacier National Park, authorities said.
Last summer, a 26-year-old man from India drowned in the park after being swept up in the current of Avalanche Creek and into the gorge. Later the same day, a 28-year-old man from Nepal drowned in Sprague Creek. Friends told rangers he was an inexperienced swimmer.
A 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman drowned near the park's St. Mary Falls in June 2024 after witnesses said she slipped on wet rocks and fell into Virginia Creek. According to rangers, she was swept over multiple small waterfalls and became pinned underwater by a log for several minutes until park visitors pulled her from the water. Despite efforts by bystanders and authorities, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
In 2023, a University of Kansas student fell from a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek and was swept into the gorge. Bystanders were able to pull her from the water and immediately began performing CPR, but she was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.
"Visitors are reminded to watch their surroundings near water," Glacier officials said in a Tuesday press release. "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."