During the buoy installation, the airboat tipped over and sank to the bottom of Maple Lake. Two Sheriff’s Deputies and two Polk County Highway Department personnel were on the airboat at the time of the accident. The Sheriff’s deputies were transported by private vehicle to Essentia Hospital in Fosston with non-life-threatening injuries. The Highway Department personnel were uninjured. All four individuals were wearing life jackets.
The Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was dispatched to assist with the recovery of the airboat. Assisting agencies were:-Mentor Fire Department-County EMS-Polk County Highway Department-Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office dive team. This incident is under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.
