WEST GLACIER, Montana, Aug. 14, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with funeral expenses for a 14-year-old Utah girl who died Monday from injuries she sustained when falling rocks struck a vehicle in Glacier National Park in Montana.
The page identifies the girl as Ayva Sparrow.
A news release from Glacier National Park on Tuesday said that rockfall near the east tunnel on Going-to-the-Sun Road struck the vehicle in which Ayva and her parents and two siblings were traveling westbound at approximately 7 p.m.
“The rocks hit the top of the vehicle and shattered the rear windshield, fatally injuring the girl and also injuring her parents and two other children in the vehicle,” the news release said. “A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance responded, but was unable to airlift the girl because of her unstable condition. Flight paramedics traveled with her via ground ambulance to Kalispell, Montana.”
Ayva died while being transported to a local hospital.
The GoFundMe page, set up by friends of the family, said: “If you have ever met this outstanding family you know they love everyone. They are willing to help when others are in need. The Sparrows are a very close knit family. They loved going on adventures and spending time with each other.
“The Sparrows set off on their family vacation to Canada. Shortly after leaving the trip came to a tragic end. The family went for a drive in Glacier National Park when the vehicle was hit by falling rocks causing Ayva, their 14-year-old daughter to lose her life.
“Ayva could light up any room she entered with her contagious personality. Ayva loved helping her dad with Traegar trade shows. Reading was her favorite activity. She loves cats, her dog, friends and most of all her little sister. Ayva will be missed dearly by her family and community.
“We put this fundraiser together to help this grieving family. We would like to be able to raise enough money to cover all the funeral cost for Ayva. Any extra money will be given to the family to supplement their income allowing them the time they need as a family.”
The two adults in the car suffered significant bruises and were transported to area hospitals by ground ambulance, the news release said. The two other children in the vehicle had minor injuries and also went by ambulance to the hospital.
“The rocks that hit the vehicle were between fist-sized and 12 inches in diameter,” the news release said. “The park estimates that the amount of debris could have filled the bed of a pickup truck. The rocks fell from an unknown height from the mountains above the road.”
Going-to-the-Sun Road was closed at the east tunnel for approximately three hours on Monday night while the park road crew cleared the rocks and a tow truck removed the vehicle, officials said.
The last fatal injury from rockfall on the Going-to-the-Sun Road was in 1996 when a vehicle was struck by a falling rock in the Rimrocks section of the road, just west of Logan Pass.
“The park extends its deepest condolences to the girl’s family, and thanks its partner emergency care providers for the significant response,” the news release said.
