Glacier National Park rangers recover body of drowning victim in Avalanche Creek

Glacier National Park officials believe the body of 26-year-old Siddhant Vitthal Patil from India was recovered on Saturday after weeks of searching for the drowning victim, according to a press release.  

Patil fell into Avalanche Creek on July 6, 2024, and drowned. Clothing and gear similar to what, according to friends, Patil was wearing at the time of the incident were also recovered, according to a release from park officials.

Around 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 3, a park visitor reported seeing a body in Avalanche Creek below the gorge. Rangers immediately began recovery efforts. Flathead County coroner is working to confirm identity through DNA or dental records.

Rangers suspected that the body was being held underwater by submerged obstacles such as fallen trees or rocks and were limited in their ability to search the gorge for weeks due to water depth and whitewater conditions during spring/summer runoff.

Park officials said the water level dropped, and rangers were able to probe larger portions of the gorge with long poles but were unable to reach the deepest and most dangerous areas.

Patil was hiking with friends above a gorge on Avalanche Lake Trail on July 6 when he diverted from the trail and, while standing on a large rock, fell into Avalanche Creek. It is unclear if he slipped on a wet portion of the rock or lost his balance. Friends and witnesses saw him go into the creek, go underwater and resurface briefly before being swept up by the current and into the gorge.

A.L.E.R.T. helicopter conducted aerial searches of the creek and rangers scoured the area on July 6 and recovered personal items that washed downstream. Over the past four weeks, ground search efforts continued from the gorge to the bridge on Trail of the Cedars. Rangers flew a drone multiple times over the gorge in an attempt to locate the body.

Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Trail were temporarily closed today during recovery efforts and reopened around 3:30 p.m.

Patil was living and working in California at the time of the incident.

Park officials offered condolences to family and friends and hoped that recovering the body would help bring closure to loved ones.