Hiker killed in presumed bear attack, first fatal bear death since 1998
By Micah Drew DAILY MONTANAN
Glacier National Park officials on Thursday announced they had located the remains of a Florida hiker who had been missing since Sunday evening.
The remains were found 2.5 miles up the Mt. Brown Trail above Lake McDonald approximately 50 feet off the trail in a densely wooded area with downed timber, according to a press release. The injuries sustained by the victim are consistent with a bear encounter.
Wildlife and law enforcement personnel are currently assessing the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns and temporary trail closures are in place near Lake McDonald, including the Mt. Brown, Gunsight Pass, Snyder Lake and Lincoln Lake trails.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Glacier National Park has not recorded a fatal bear attack since 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley. The last incident where a visitor was injured by a bear was last summer.
Officials are withholding the name of the victim until his family has been notified.
Numerous agencies cooperated in the search and rescue and recovery operations, including Flathead County Search and Rescue, North Valley Search and Rescue, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Minuteman Aviation, Civil Air Patrol, Montana Army National Guard, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, U.S. Geological Survey, ALERT, Border Patrol, Malmstrom Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force Rescue and NPS staff.
