Avalanche kills Kalispell skier in Glacier National Park

KALISPELL, Mont. – Authorities say a Kalispell man has died from injuries sustained in an avalanche while backcountry skiing in Glacier National Park.

The Flathead Beacon reported that Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry says the 36-year-old victim died Thursday of injuries that were the result of severe trauma. He has not yet been identified.

Park spokeswoman Lauren Alley says emergency personnel had responded to a report from a person who had been skiing with the victim. The man told dispatchers his skiing partner was partially buried in an avalanche on Stanton Mountain and was severely injured.

Two Bear Air pilot Jim Pierce says the victim was conscious and responsive when the helicopter crew extracted him about 500 yards below the summit.

The man died during the course of the rescue operation.