An Iowa woman tragically died while hiking at Glacier National Park in Montana after falling from the Highline Trail, according to the National Park Service.
The incident happened around 11 a.m. last Wednesday when park staff were alerted that a hiker had fallen off the trail. Authorities said the woman was part of a large hiking group when she tripped and fell off the edge, disappearing from sight.
Rescue crews temporarily closed the Going-to-the-Sun Road from Logan Pass to Big Bend for about an hour during the search and recovery mission.
Air rescue teams later located the woman, who had fallen roughly 450 feet and died from her injuries. Her body was transported to the Apgar horse corrals and then to the Flathead County coroner for examination.
The victim was identified as 73-year-old Diane Bunker of Muscatine, Iowa.
Glacier National Park officials thanked first responders for their efforts and requested privacy and respect for Bunker’s family. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
