7 October 2024
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK — A park ranger died Sunday while responding to a call from a distressed civilian boat on Namakan Lake in St. Louis County.
While towing the civilian vessel late Sunday morning, the National Park Service law enforcement ranger’s boat capsized, according to a news release from Voyageurs National Park. High winds and rough water were reported.
The three people being assisted fell into the water and swam to safety, but the ranger couldn’t be found.
The ranger’s body was recovered from the lake at approximately 3:20 p.m. after a three-hour search. The release said the ranger’s name is being withheld until all notifications are made.
The incident is under investigation.
The U.S. Border Patrol, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Kabetogama Fire Department assisted in the search and recovery.
Just before the report of the missing park ranger, rescue resources were being coordinated at 11:03 a.m. for a capsized canoe on Big Shell Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a press release from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said.
Two people capsized a canoe and were safe on land, however, they were soaking wet and without any gear. The Minnesota State Patrol and Minnesota Air Rescue Team were dispatched. When the Air Rescue Team arrived, they learned the two people were able to retrieve some gear and were headed back to their vehicles, so the rescue effort was canceled.
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