Pennsylvania woman drowns after falling into waterfall at Glacier National Park

A 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman drowned Sunday afternoon after falling into the water above St. Mary Falls at Glacier National Park in Montana, the National Park Service said Monday.

Witnesses said the woman was washed over the falls and trapped under water for several minutes, according to the NPS news release. Bystanders pulled her from the water below the falls and administered CPR until emergency responders arrived.

Park dispatch received multiple 911 calls routed through Glacier County dispatch around 5:20 p.m. Sunday, and park rangers were on the scene by approximately 5:45 p.m., the NPS said.

The NPS said park rangers and ambulance personnel from Babb, Montana took over CPR upon arrival, and an ALERT helicopter landed nearby and assisted with resuscitation efforts, however the victim never regained consciousness.

"Resuscitation efforts were terminated at about 7 p.m. and ALERT personnel pronounced the woman deceased," the NPS said in the news release.

The victim's body was flown to the 1913 Ranger Station near St. Mary, Montana, where they were met by the Glacier County coroner. The coroner is transporting the body to the medical examiner in Missoula, Montana for an autopsy, the NPS said.

The death is under investigation and additional details are still being gathered, according to the NPS, and next of kin is being notified in advance of releasing the woman's name.

"The park extends their deepest condolences to the family and friends of this woman and asks the public to respect their privacy," the news release concludes.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].