Man Fell 120 Feet—Heroic Bystander Saves Him in Glacier National Park
Tourist Survives 120-Foot Fall in Glacier National Park Thanks to Heroic Bystander
What Happened?
A family trip to Glacier National Park in Montana took a scary turn on August 13 when a 60-year-old tourist named Ken Nurse fell about 120 feet (that’s as tall as a 12-story building!) from an overlook at McDonald Falls. He landed in the freezing water of Upper McDonald Creek and was badly hurt.
Important Point: This accident happened because the ground near the edge of the overlook crumbled away when Mr. Nurse stepped closer for a better photo view.
The Timeline of the Rescue
Here’s how the dramatic rescue unfolded, step by step:
- 11:20 AM: Park dispatch gets a call that a man has fallen into the creek near McDonald Creek Bridge.
- Bystander Jumps In: A stranger sees Mr. Nurse floating face-down in the water. Without hesitation, they wade into the creek, pull him to shallow water, and perform CPR for several minutes until he starts breathing again.
- Rangers Arrive: Park rangers reach the scene and help stabilize Mr. Nurse.
- Helicopters Called In: Two rescue helicopters are dispatched:
- ALERT Medical Helicopter tries to land but the ground is too rough.
- Two Bear Air Rescue is called in to perform a hoist rescue (lifting people up with a cable).
- The Hoist Rescue: The Two Bear crew lowers a rescuer onto the slippery, rocky bank. She wades through the creek with a special vest, attaches it to Mr. Nurse, and the helicopter lifts both of them to safety.
- Transfer to Hospital: The helicopter flies them a short distance to Lake McDonald where the ALERT helicopter is waiting. Mr. Nurse is flown to Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell.
Mr. Nurse’s Injuries & Recovery
The fall caused serious damage, but thanks to the quick rescue, he is on the mend.
- Multiple cracked ribs
- Compound elbow fracture (the bone broke through the skin) — required surgery
- Fluid in his lungs
- Extensive bruising and bleeding
Hospital Stay:
- Spent 2 days on a ventilator (a machine to help him breathe).
- Regained consciousness and was taken off the ventilator.
- Currently recovering and receiving oxygen.
Important Point: The rescue pilot, Rob Cherot, said Mr. Nurse was "responsive but unaware of the event and where he was" when they reached him, showing how severe the trauma was.
The Real Hero: The Bystander
While the helicopter rescue looked dramatic on TV, the pilot Rob Cherot gave all the credit to the person who acted first.
“Our part with bringing a helicopter and hoisting somebody down… that’s the kind of glamor, dramatic, cool-looking stuff. But we did the easy part.”
“The guy that made the decision to jump in the water and save the guy… That’s the hero.” — Rob Cherot, Two Bear Air Rescue Pilot
Mr. Nurse agrees. He told reporters:
“I just want everyone who helped me out to get the things they deserve. Because I should not be here right now. I owe everyone my life and I want that to be known.” — Ken Nurse
Safety Lesson: Stay Back from the Edge!
This story is a powerful reminder that nature doesn’t have guardrails.
- Overlooks can be dangerous: The ground near cliffs and waterfalls is often loose, wet, or hollow underneath.
- Photos aren’t worth your life: No picture is worth stepping past safety barriers or getting too close to a crumbling edge.
- Water is powerful: Mountain creeks are freezing cold, fast, and slippery. Falling in can knock the breath out of you instantly.
Summary
- Who: Ken Nurse, a 60-year-old tourist.
- Where: McDonald Falls overlook, Glacier National Park, Montana.
- What: Fell ~120 feet into Upper McDonald Creek after the ground gave way.
- Injuries: Cracked ribs, compound elbow fracture, fluid in lungs, severe bruising.
- Rescue Chain: Bystander (CPR) → Park Rangers (Stabilize) → Two Bear Air Rescue (Hoist) → ALERT Helicopter (Transport) → Hospital.
- Outcome: Survived, off ventilator, recovering in hospital.
- Key Takeaway: A quick-thinking bystander performing CPR was the most critical link in the chain of survival.
FAQ
1. How high was the fall?
Mr. Nurse fell approximately 120 feet. For reference, that is roughly the height of a 12-story building.
2. What is a "hoist rescue"?
A hoist rescue is when a helicopter hovers in the air and lowers a strong cable with a hook or basket down to the ground. A rescuer attaches the person to the cable, and the helicopter winches them up into the aircraft. It is used when the helicopter cannot land safely.
3. What is a "compound fracture"?
A compound fracture (also called an open fracture) is when the broken bone pierces through the skin. It is very serious because it carries a high risk of infection and almost always requires surgery to clean the wound and fix the bone.
4. Why couldn’t the first helicopter (ALERT) land?
The terrain near the creek was too rocky, uneven, and steep. Helicopters need a flat, clear, and stable spot to land safely. Since they couldn’t find one, they had to wait at Lake McDonald while the hoist-equipped helicopter did the pickup.
5. What should I do if I see someone fall in a national park?
- Call 911 or Park Dispatch immediately. (In this case, the call came in at 11:20 AM).
- DO NOT put yourself in danger by climbing down steep cliffs or jumping into fast water unless you are trained and it is safe.
- If you CAN reach them safely (like the bystander did in shallow water), provide first aid/CPR if you know how.
- Stay on the line with dispatch and guide rangers to the exact location.