Good Samaritan Helps Rescue Man at Glacier National Park

A man named Ken Nurse survived a harrowing fall into McDonald Creek at Glacier National Park, largely due to the timely intervention of a bystander. Nurse was visiting the Montana park with his wife, family, and friends, as reported by NonStop Local Montana. The incident occurred on August 13, when Nurse fell from an overlook and went over a series of waterfalls, according to Two Bear Air Rescue, a helicopter search-and-rescue organization based in Montana.

An eyewitness, seeing Nurse lying face down in the water, entered the creek to assist. The bystander moved Nurse to shallower waters and began performing chest compressions after realizing that Nurse was not breathing, stated the organization in a Facebook post. The swift actions of the bystander were crucial in saving Nurse’s life.

Nurse’s wife, Renae, shared with NonStop Local Montana that their group was taking photos near McDonald Falls when Nurse approached the edge for a better view. The ground gave way, causing him to fall approximately 120 feet down the cliff into the creek. Park rangers attended to him in the creek before the Two Bear Air Rescue helicopter crew arrived on the scene.

Video footage of the rescue shows a crew member being lowered from the helicopter to secure Nurse, allowing for his retrieval from the water. Nurse was then airlifted via a medical helicopter for further stabilization and hospital transport.

According to NonStop Local Montana, Nurse spent two days on a ventilator and suffered from multiple cracked ribs, a compound elbow fracture that required surgery, and fluid in his lungs. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Nurse expressed gratitude to those who saved his life.

“I owe everyone my life,” said Nurse, emphasizing his appreciation for the efforts of all involved in his rescue. The son of Nurse also expressed his gratitude on Facebook, thanking those who participated in the successful rescue mission for his father.