St. Louis Co. Rescue in Boundary Waters
ST. LOUIS COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — Authorities in St. Louis County responded to a serious medical emergency in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Tuesday evening.
At 6:33 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received an SOS alert, which was relayed to Global Rescue, a private company providing emergency medical support to its members. The call reported that a man had suffered a severe leg injury caused by an axe. First aid was being administered at the scene, including the application of a tourniquet and bandaging, to control bleeding.
Rescue coordination quickly began, with assistance from Zup’s Cabins on Lac La Croix, Anderson Outfitters, an area ambulance, the Crane Lake Fire Department, and the Virginia Fire Department. Together, the teams worked to reach the injured man in the remote wilderness.
The victim, identified as Christopher Banfield of Davenport, Iowa, was eventually transported to Cook County Hospital for medical care. His current condition has not been released.
The Sheriff’s Office reminded visitors to prepare before entering the wilderness. They noted that Mr. Banfield had taken important safety steps, including carrying proper first aid supplies. Officials stressed that emergency medical resources are often delayed in remote areas, making self-preparedness vital for campers and paddlers.
For more on safety tips in the Boundary Waters, visit the U.S. Forest Service guide.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
