iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The body of Siddhant Vitthal Patil, a 26-year-old Indian national who went missing in Glacier National Park on July 6, has been recovered after nearly a month-long search, park officials announced on Saturday, August 3.
Patil, a native of Maharashtra, who had been working in California’s tech industry, was hiking with friends above a gorge on the Avalanche Lake Trail when the incident occurred. According to witnesses, Patil fell into Avalanche Creek while standing on a large rock. His companions reported seeing him briefly resurface before being swept into the gorge by the strong current.
“After weeks of searching, rangers at Glacier National Park believe they have recovered the body of 26-year-old Siddhant from India today,” park officials stated. The discovery was made after a park visitor reported seeing a body in Avalanche Creek below the gorge at approximately 10:30 am on Saturday.
Park rangers immediately initiated recovery efforts. Clothing and gear matching the description of what Patil was wearing at the time of his disappearance were also found at the scene. The Flathead County coroner is now working to confirm the identity through DNA or dental records.
The search for Patil had been hampered by challenging conditions in the gorge. Park Rangers suspected that the body was trapped underwater by submerged obstacles such as fallen trees or rocks. High water levels and dangerous whitewater conditions initially limited the search efforts. As water levels receded, rangers could probe larger portions of the gorge, but the deepest and most treacherous areas remained inaccessible until recently.
Patil’s uncle, Pritesh Chaudhari, confirmed that US ranger officials had informed the family of the body’s recovery. The incident had garnered attention in India, with the Maharashtra government requesting intervention from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to urge US authorities to intensify the search efforts.
