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Man missing since Friday in Glacier National Park found alive

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Posted at 10:14 AM, May 09, 2023
and last updated 2023-05-09 16:07:41-04

WEST GLACIER - A 19-year-old man who had been missing in Glacier National Park since Friday has been found alive.

Glacier National Park spokeswoman Gina Kerzman has confirmed with MTN News that Matthew David Read has been located.

Read was last heard from on Friday afternoon and was thought to start his hike around noon that day.

His vehicle was found at the trailhead of Huckleberry Trail on Sunday and a search for Read was launched.

Park officials say Two Bear Air located Read, who is from Dexter, Mich., at approximately 11 p.m. on Monday.

Two Bear Air picked up a thermal heat signature in heavily forested terrain and lowered a rescuer down to Read’s location and "found him somewhat responsive," according to a news release.

Read was extricated by a 175-foot hoist, flown out of the park, and transferred to Evergreen Ambulance, where he is reportedly in stable condition.

Click here to watch video of the rescue on the Two Bear Air facebook page.

Read was reported missing on Sunday.

Reports indicate Read hiked the Huckleberry Lookout trail on Friday and reached the first saddle where he encountered a snowfield covering the trail.

He slipped into a drainage on the east side of Huckleberry Mountain and fell into chest-deep snow, losing his phone, water bottle, and shoes.

Read began going down the drainage after he realized he could not make it back up to the trail.

Read was last heard from on Friday afternoon and his vehicle was found on Sunday at the Huckleberry Lookout Trailhead after he was reported overdue to rangers.

Rangers conducted a hasty search Sunday afternoon and an expanded search began Monday morning.

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