Glacier National Park Rangers rescued a stranded visitor from Upper McDonald Creek on Thursday evening, according to park officials.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., June 6, park dispatch received a report that a rafter had fallen into Upper McDonald Creek near Red Rock Point and was stranded on a rock in the middle of the creek. Park rangers rescued the 23-year-old male from Whitefish at approximately 6:15 p.m., according to the park.
The Flathead County Swift Water Rescue Team also responded to the incident and successfully retrieved the man’s belongings that were downstream.
The visitor was cited for boating in a closed area. Upper McDonald Creek, from the motor vehicle bridge across McDonald Creek inlet at the head of Lake McDonald upstream to the Mineral Creek confluence, is closed to all boating and floating for the protection of nesting harlequin ducks.
Park visitors are reminded to use caution around water. Spring conditions in the park include increased amounts and high levels, fast moving, and frigid cold waters in lakes, streams and creeks.
Drowning is the leading cause of death in the park, according to officials.
For information about boating, kayaking or canoeing in the park, contact the park at 406-888-7800 or visit here.