GNP officials identify University of Kansas student as victim of Avalanche Creek drowning
WEST GLACIER, Mont. — Glacier National Park officials have identified the victim who died from drowning in Avalanche Creek Monday.
Atheer Abdulrahman S. Alquahtani, a University of Kansas student from Saudi Arabia who was living in Lawrence, Kansas, fell off of a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek and then carried into the gorge, according to park officials.
Bystanders saw Alquahtani in the creek as water took her under the bridge of Trail of the Cedars.
The bystanders went into the water and pulled her out, performed CPR, and sent others to call for help and notify park rangers.
Flathead County Dispatch received the call and transferred it to Glacier National Park Dispatch, National Park Service staff, ALERT and Three Rivers Ambulance.
ALERT personnel arrived on scene and declared Alquahtani dead.
Rangers transported the body by litter to the Avalanche Lake Trailhead, where it went to funeral services.
Alquahtani had visited the park while celebrating her first year of her master's degree at the University of Kansas with a road trip of national parks with friends, according to friends travelling with Alquahtani.
Officials said they described her as "a risk taker" who loved being around and in water.
Glacier National Park officials released the following information:
Glacier National Park has released the identity of the victim of Monday’s Avalanche Creek drowning as University of Kansas student Atheer Abdulrahman S. Alquahtani from Saudi Arabia and current resident of Lawrence, Kansas.
On Monday afternoon, Alquahtani fell off a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek and was swept into the gorge.
She was spotted in the creek passing under the bridge of Trail of the Cedars by bystanders who waded into the water to pull her out. They immediately began CPR and sent people to notify rangers and call 911.
Flathead County Dispatch received and diverted the call to Glacier National Park Dispatch. NPS staff, ALERT and Three Rivers Ambulance mobilized after learning about the incident.
Alquahtani was declared deceased by ALERT personnel at the side of the creek. Rangers litter carried her out to Avalanche Lake Trailhead where she was then transferred to funeral services.
According to friends traveling with Alquahtani, she had just finished her first year of her master’s degree at University of Kansas and was on a road trip tour of national parks to celebrate. Friends described her as a risk taker who loved getting in and being near water.
Law enforcement investigators say there are no indications of foul play. The area where this incident occurred is off-trail and many visitors take the same risk. Water related incidents like this are the number one cause of death at Glacier National Park. Visitors are asked to take extra precautions when approaching areas with water, especially during spring runoff.
