DOUGLAS COUNTY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is stressing the importance of wearing life jackets after two adults and two children were rescued from a capsized boat on Bird Lake in Osakis Township. The incident occurred on Saturday when the group of hunters struggled to stay afloat after their waders filled with water.
The county’s water patrol boat and dive team airboat responded quickly, rescuing all four individuals, who were later treated for hypothermia. None of the occupants were wearing life jackets, and there weren’t enough on board for everyone, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
In a public safety reminder, the Sheriff’s Office urged watercraft users to wear life jackets and ensure every passenger has one, especially during waterfowl hunting. “Drowning is the leading cause of death for waterfowl hunters,” the statement said, emphasizing the life-saving importance of safety precautions on the water.