WEST GLACIER, MONT. - After summiting Stanton Peak at the head of Lake McDonald, a man fell over a 30 foot cliff and sustained injuries. The individual was airlifted to Kalispell Regional Medical Center (KRMC) by the ALERT helicopter on Tuesday evening on May 31, 2011.
Descending from the summit of Stanton Peak, two female and two male hikers, concession employees of the Lake McDonald Lodge, were glissading on a snowfield. One of the male hikers, unable to self-arrest with his ice axe, tumbled over a 30 foot cliff, and slid down an additional 80 feet on snow. Following the incident, the two females hiked out to seek help while the other male remained with the injured party.
Based on the initial report of information received at 4:20 p.m. to the Glacier National Park Dispatch Center, Incident Commander, Patrick Suddath requested the ALERT Medical Helicopter. ALERT located the patient and dropped off a medic on scene to assess the patient's condition. The patient, his companion and the medic were all transported to KRMC by ALERT.
- NPS -
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
