Kansas woman dies after falling into Glacier National Park's Avalanche Creek

A 28-year-old woman died after falling into Avalanche Creek in Glacier National Park on Monday afternoon, park officials said.

Atheer Abdulrahman S. Alqahtani of Kansas fell off a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek on May 22 and was swept into the gorge, officials said. She was spotted in the creek passing under the bridge of Trail of the Cedars by bystanders who waded into the water to pull her out.

They immediately began CPR and sent people to notify rangers and call 911, officials said.

Flathead County Dispatch received and diverted the call to Glacier National Park Dispatch. NPS staff, ALERT and Three Rivers Ambulance mobilized after learning about the fall.

The woman was declared dead by ALERT personnel at the side of the creek. Rangers used a litter to carry the woman out to Avalanche Lake Trailhead where she was transferred to funeral services, officials said. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Park officials thanked the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, ALERT and Three Rivers Ambulance for their support as well as the bystanders for their assistance.

Park officials said that they extended their deepest condolences to Alqahtani’s family and friends, and asked that the public respect their privacy.

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.