Search crews rescued a 16-year-old girl who was lost near Lion Mountain and trapped under a fallen tree, according to authorities.
The girl was hiking with her grandfather in the Lion Mountain area near Whitefish on Wednesday when the pair became separated around 5 p.m. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded along with the North Valley and Flathead Search and Rescue units. Two Bear Air, a highly equipped helicopter funded by philanthropist Mike Goguen, also responded and located the girl using on-board infrared technology, according to Sheriff Chuck Curry.
The girl was found off trail trapped under a tree that had fallen across her body, Curry said. A rescuer was lowered from the helicopter and provided care until the ground units could arrive. The girl was stabilized and transported by search crews and emergency medical personnel to North Valley Hospital.
Following the rescue, Curry expressed gratitude for Two Bear Air, thanking Goguen for providing the life-saving resources at no cost. Curry also thanked the search crews who successfully rescued the girl.