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Avalanche Claims Life Of Backcountry Skier At Glacier National Park

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Published Date

January 6, 2017

A 36-year-old Montana man caught in an avalanche in Glacier National Park in Montana died from his injuries before he could reach a hospital, park officials said Friday.

Benjamin Parsons, of Kalispell, was skiing with a friend on the south face of Stanton Mountain and were about 500 feet from the summit of the 7,750-foot mountain Thursday afternoon when the slide occurred, a park release said. The man's friend was able to call 911 to summon help about 3:15 p.m.  

"The individual stated that his skiing partner had been caught in an avalanche, and that he was not buried but was severely injured. The reporting party confirmed that he had been able to locate his companion, warm him, and continued to provide comfort and care until medical help arrived," the release said. "The park, in partnership with the Flathead County Sheriff and Alert, launched a rescue mission. Park rangers responded with a ground rescue mission while an air rescue mission was initiated using Flathead County aviation asset Two Bear Air. Two Bear Air responded to the injured party’s location shortly after 4 p.m.

"The injured skier was in critical condition when Two Bear Air arrived, and was determined deceased during rescue efforts," the release added.

This was the ninth recorded avalanche fatality since the park was established in 1910.

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