BOZEMAN – A rock climbing trip took a tragic turn when a Gallatin County Search and Rescue team member died in an accident on Mount Cowen in Park County.
Travis Swanson was climbing Sunday with two other search and rescue members when he and another climber were swept downslope after a rock fell.
The Park County Sheriffs’ Office and Gallatin County Search and Rescue were able to recover Swanson and rescue the other climber.
“It wasn’t their fault. There’s things you have no control over. They did an outstanding job — Jackson especially. He pretty much saved Will’s life which is amazing and the circumstances that was happening. You can’t be too careful but you also have things out of your control,” Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin said.
Swanson was with Gallatin County Search and Rescue for 12 years.
