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Wild Glacier National Park Incidents: Tragic Accident, Wildlife Rescues, Hoverboard Trouble & More

From wild pine martens hitching rides to hoverboarders on the lake, Glacier National Park’s rangers have been busy! Join Daily Inter Lake reporter Taylor Inman as she dives into recent park dispatch reports that range from life-saving rescues to quirky wildlife encounters. It’s a glimpse into the unpredictable and often adventurous life inside the park.
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TRANSCRIPT

I’m Daily Inter Lake reporter Taylor Inman. Here’s what’s has been going on in Glacier National Park recently, according to notes provided by park dispatch.

A 65-year-old male died on the Sperry Glacier trail on Aug. 28 after he slipped and hit his head. Sperry Utilites Operator responded hastily and began CPR on the patient who had become unresponsive. Rangers also responded with a litter team. CPR continued with no shockable rhythm detected by the defibrillator, and medical control determined that rangers could terminate CPR. The deceased was transported by litter team to West Glacier to meet the Funeral Home.

On Sept. 7, Many Glacier Hotel Loop dispatch received a report from a Hotel Manager of a 21-year-old female employee that was possibly drugged and profusely vomiting with bystanders trying to manage her airway. Rangers responded and requested an ambulance from Babb. Rangers assessed the patient, who did make improvements, and also took a report and investigated the event. The patient was transported by security and a friend to Browning Hospital

On Sept. 1, Two Medicine Dock Dispatch received a report of 4 individuals that appeared intoxicated at the Two Medicine boat dock and being verbally abusive to boat company employees. One 58-year-old female was extremely intoxicated and was unconscious but breathing. Browning ambulance responded and took over treatment of the patient. A ranger issued a warning to driver for interference.

Fifty Mtn Back country campground dispatch received an SOS activation from a Garmin inReach on Aug. 28 reporting six individuals experiencing mild hypothermia. Rangers advised but were unavailable due to other emergencies. Dispatch relayed advice for rewarming and taking shelter. The reporting party later notified dispatch that they were warming up, doing much better, and think they will be able to hike out in the morning. The party was able to hike out the next day to The Loop where they took a shuttle to St Mary and another shuttle to Many Glacier

Near Grist Rd. On Sept. 2, Rangers assisted county deputies who responded to a complaint of a suspicious male trespassing on private inholding property. The male was the son of a friend of a former owner. Deputies arrested the male and charged him with burglary. And rangers extinguished a campfire left burning on the property.

A hoverboarder was stopped in their tracks on Sept. 4, when rangers made contact with them on Swiftcurrent Lake. They were issued a citation for allowing a motorized vessel on the lake and a warning for failure to obtain an AIS inspection.

On Aug. 27, Apgar Transit Center Loop Dispatch received a report of a pine martin in an RV engine. A wildlife biologist responded and extracted the pine martin from the engine.

On Aug. 27, Fish Creek Picnic Area Dispatch received a request from a rental company, who had a car that had not been returned and was reported to county as unauthorized use, to have rangers standby as they tried to retrieve the vehicle. By the time the rental car company arrived, the vehicle had already left the Park. The next day, the rental company relayed the car was back in the Park. Ranger met rental company at the vehicle at Apgar Visitor Center. The visitor was ordered to leave vehicle and belongings. The rental company took possession of their vehicle and Rangers transported the individual to the West Glacier train station to wait for someone to transport him.

Rangers investigated possible illegal commercial operations within Glacier National Park in the Many Glacier area on Aug. 28.

Also on Aug. 28, Park Triple Divide District Dispatch received a referral from Glacier County for a woman wanting to report her ex-husband possibly taking her 6-year-old daughter over the US border from Canada without permission. She thought they may be in the Park. Per the Chief Ranger, it could not be determined if the individuals were in the Park. Dispatch contacted Border Patrol who advised the reporting party of actions she could take.

Apgar Picnic Area Dispatch received a complaint from an off-duty camp host on Aug. 28 of a group of people making too much noise after hours. A ranger responded but was unable to locate anyone making a ruckus. They did locate a largish group of elderly stargazers, however.

West Entrance Station Dispatch received an entrance station report on Sept. 1 of a gate runner. Rangers notified and looked for the vehicle. Ranger found the vehicle in Apgar Village and issued a warning for failure to pay park entrance fee as well as a citation for proof of insurance.

Many Glacier Grinnell Picnic Area Rangers took a report on Sept. 2 of a visitor shoving a maintenance worker. Rangers looked for the visitor but were unable to locate the subject. Rangers located the possible offender later in the day, talked with two individuals, and no action was taken at that time.

Also on Sept. 2, the Loop Parking Area Ranger advised there were about 12 motorcycles blocking the avalanche trailer at The Loop. The ranger advised motorcyclists they needed to move, or they would be cited. They moved their motorcycles

On Sept. 3, the West Entrance Station Dispatch was advised of a vehicle stuck under the kiosk of one of the lanes at the west entrance station. Ranger assisted with getting the vehicle out.

A Kintla Lake Campground Ranger investigated a possible illegal shuttle system in the North Fork area that same day.

In Many Glacier, rangers impounded a vehicle that intentionally moved "No Parking" signs to create their own parking space near the hotel. Later the visitors returned wondering where their vehicle went. Rangers were on an emergency call, so the hotel relayed where the visitors could pick up their vehicle.

That same day Grinnell Glacier trail dispatch received report of 46 yo woman with an ankle injury. Rangers responded, made contact and provided an ice pack to the hiker who was not requesting any further assistance. That same person was the subject of another SAR the next day, when she shattered her knee cap on the Swiftcurrent Pass trail. Rangers splinted her leg and helped her crutch to the trailhead, where the woman and her husband self transported to further care in Kalispell.

On Sept. 5, a ranger issued a verbal warning for driving so slow as to obstruct traffic on the Bowman Lake road.

Many Glacier Hotel Loop Dispatch received a report of marijuana being found in a room that day. Ranger was advised and responded, who said it was not marijuana but just loose leave tea.,

On Sept. 6, a SAR Ranger treated and released a 50-year-old male who was accidentally bear sprayed in the eyes

On Sept. 8, Many Glacier Rd Dispatch received a report of a visitor refusing to leave the entrance station until he could speak with a supervisor about the reservation system. Rangers advised and responded from St. Mary. Subject left prior to rangers' arrival. Rangers searched the valley for the vehicle but were unable to locate it.