UPDATE: Tuesday, June 25, 2024, 08:00

The following is a press release from Glacier National Park.

WEST GLACIER, Mont. – The woman who drowned Sunday near St. Mary Falls on the east side of Glacier National Park has been identified as 26-year-old Gillian Tones of North Apollo, Pennsylvania.

Initially, Tones was reported to have entered the water above St. Mary Falls, but witnesses later clarified that she slipped on wet, slippery rocks and fell into Virginia Creek between St. Mary and Virginia Falls, about 200 meters above the walking bridge. Tones was quickly swept away by the cold, fast-flowing water and plunged over a series of smaller waterfalls. She then remained trapped underwater by a log for several minutes until other park visitors made heroic efforts to pull her out of the river.

Despite resuscitation attempts by passersby, park rangers, paramedics and ALERT rescue helicopters, Tones did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead by ALERT personnel at around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23.

The park dispatch center received several emergency calls at around 5:20 p.m., which were forwarded through the Glacier County dispatch center. Park rangers were on site at around 5:45 p.m. The ALERT helicopter landed nearby at around 6:20 p.m.

Park staff would like to thank Glacier County, ALERT, Babb Ambulance and the U.S. Border Patrol for their assistance, as well as the numerous bystanders for their immediate assistance.

The park extends its deepest condolences to Tones' family and friends and asks the public to respect their privacy.

The following is a press release from Glacier National Park.

WEST GLACIER, Mont. – A 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman drowned Sunday afternoon after falling into the water above St. Mary Falls on the east side of Glacier National Park.