UPDATE 6:32 p.m. — Glacier National Park officials said that a 48-year-old visitor to the park that was reported missing on Tuesday morning has been found dead in Lake McDonald.
GNP said that at around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, park dispatch received a missing person notification from a concerned family member for a 48-year-old male of Arizona believed to be in Glacier National Park.
Park rangers launched a search, and located a vehicle at Lake McDonald Lodge matching the description provided by the man’s family.
Glacier National Park ground crews searched the nearby area, and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded to conduct an underwater search.
The dive team deployed a remote operated vehicle (ROV) and found and recovered the man in Lake McDonald on the afternoon of March 26.
GNP says the exact circumstances leading to the victim’s death are unknown, but no foul play is suspected. The death remains under investigation by Glacier National Park.
Lake McDonald is still frozen in some places, though open water exists throughout the lake, including flowing out of Sprague Creek and in other areas near Lake McDonald Lodge. Unstable ice is also prevalent.
The park thanks the Flathead County Sheriff’s Dive Team for their professional and prompt response to the incident. The team trains regularly on Lake McDonald.
Water is a leading cause of death in Glacier National Park. The park urges people to stay off frozen water and away from slippery rocks near rushing water. The park has hundreds of icy streams and lakes that can pose extreme hazards.
The victim’s name has not been released pending the conclusion of family notifications.
— Lauren Alley, Glacier National Park news release
KALISPELL – Officials are looking for a 48-year-old man who was reported missing in Glacier National Park on Tuesday morning.
Lauren Alley with Glacier National Park has confirmed with MTN that on Tuesday morning, park dispatch received a report of a 48-year-old missing male who is not from the area.
Right now, officials believe that the male was sightseeing.
When park crews arrived on scene a vehicle was located at Lake McDonald Lodge matching the description of the missing man’s vehicle.
We will keep you updated as soon as we learn more.
