'Kind and compassionate' nurse, 26, drowns after being swept by waterfall in Montana park, heartbreaking final Facebook post revealed

A 26-year-old Pennsylvania nurse drowned to her death in a waterfall at a Montana park - days after sharing a final Facebook picture from the site. 

Gillian Tones was hiking at the Glacier National Park when she fell into the Virginia Creek between St. Mary and Virginia Falls, about 200 yards above the trail bridge on June 24. 

Unable to keep her balance, the young nurse was swept up by the cold and fast moving water and ended up going over a series of smaller waterfalls. 

Gillian was unable to emerge due to the rapid currents and ended up being pinned underwater by a log for several minutes until help arrived. 

Gillian Tones posted a picture on Facebook from the Glacier National Park just days before her fatal fall.

The young nurse was swept up by the cold and fast moving water and ended up going over a series of smaller waterfalls

Bystanders were able to ultimately pull her from the water and administered CPR until emergency responders arrived.

Park rangers and ambulance personnel from Babb, Montana as well as a ALERT helicopter landed nearby to assist with resuscitation efforts but to no avail. 

The National Park Service confirmed: 'Resuscitation efforts were terminated at about 7 pm and ALERT personnel pronounced the woman deceased.'

Days before her untimely death, the young woman had posted a final picture of herself standing next to a waterfall. 

Her grandmother praised Gillian and wrote: 'Looks like you are seeing some beautiful scenery. Nice to be young and observing God’s creation. Love you. Nana Davis.'

She had recently celebrated Nurse's week with a picture of herself in graduation robes with her parents. 

She had recently also celebrated Nurse's week with a picture of herself in graduation robes with her parents

Father Mike Tones expressed how proud he is of her and said: 'You are doing great things as a nurse G. Mom and I are so incredibly proud of you!'

Along with her father, her grandmother once again expressed her love for the young nurse. 

'Gillian, I know you are a gentle, compassionate nurse who truly cares. I love you always and pray for you. Love Nana Davis,' she wrote. 

In October 2022, Gillian was honored by the Daisy Foundation for her 'compassion and care.'

A patient described: 'Gillian showed compassion and care that should be mimicked by all nurses. She took the time when applying the topical pain gel to massage the area as well. Gillian took time to explain everything and to listen. She makes you feel important. Gillian truly is an exceptional nurse that stands out in a crowd.'

The website also explains that the temperature of most lakes never gets above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface

The park is a 1,583 square miles wilderness area in Montana's Rocky Mountains. 

Due to past ice-ages, Glacier has lots of water which can be considered the headwaters of the entire continent. 

According to its website, 'from Triple Divide Peak, a droplet can theoretically split three ways and eventually make it to the Pacific, Atlantic, and Hudson Bay watersheds.'

The website also explains that the temperature of most lakes never gets above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface. 

The death is under investigation and additional details are still being gathered, according to the NPS.