Woman drowns in McDonald Creek

A woman died in Glacier National Park after falling into McDonald Creek on July 12 about half a mile upstream from where her body was found.

Abigail Sylvester, 33, of Buckley, Wash., reportedly was taking photos near the bridge at the upper falls around 3 p.m. when she slipped and fell into the creek. Her husband, whose name was not released, jumped in to save her but then had to rescue himself in the deep and fast moving water.

Sylvester’s body was swept downstream over the lower falls, which is about 40 feet high.

People who saw the incident rushed to help. A father, mother and teenage son who became aware of the accident went to the bridge near Lower McDonald Creek Falls to search for the woman.

The father, a volunteer fireman, spotted the woman and waded into the creek and began swimming in waist-deep water to retrieve her. His son helped get her on a small island. The father and son, two other male visitors and Park rangers then performed CPR.

The island is near where the McDonald Creek enters Lake McDonald. Three Rivers Ambulance and the ALERT helicopter responded to the scene. ALERT transported the woman to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

She was pronounced dead the next day. Park rangers are investigating the incident.

Visitors are reminded that Glacier Park’s waters, while inviting, are also swift and dangerous. Drowning is the No. 1 cause of accidental death in the Park.

Waters in the Park are running higher than normal now because of late June snows and a larger than normal snowpack.