CURTAIN FALLS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota have been temporarily closed as a search for two missing canoeists continues.
On Sunday, officials with the Superior National Forest announced an emergency closure order due to search and rescue efforts on Iron Lake. The closed areas include land and water in St. Louis County, specifically Iron Lake, the LaCroix-Bottle portage and LaCroix-Iron portage, and Crooked Lake west of Sunday Bay. Restrictions went into effect Monday and will remain in effect until Wednesday.
Incident Details
Officials with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received a report early Saturday evening of a water emergency on Iron Lake. The caller reported that two canoes had gone over Curtain Falls. Two canoeists went missing, and another person in the party was badly injured. A helicopter from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was dispatched, extracting the injured victim and another uninjured person.
The injured victim was taken to Essentia Duluth, where they are expected to survive. The following day, search efforts resumed, and another group member, not involved in the incident, was flown out.
Missing Canoeists Identified
The missing canoeists have been identified as 40-year-old Reis Grams of Lino Lakes and 41-year-old Jesse Haugen of Cambridge. The St. Louis County Rescue Squad, assisted by the DNR, North Air Care, Minnesota Air Rescue Team, and Virginia Fire Department, is leading the search. Rapid water conditions are hindering search efforts.
Earlier in May, the body of a 62-year-old Duluth man was recovered after a canoe capsized. A life jacket was found at the scene, but the victim was not wearing it.
I’m Neil Berg reporting for trfnews.i234.me
such a shame to put your loved ones through this
Prayers for their safety!
What were they thinking ?