Southern Minnesota landslide kills teen

BLUE EARTH COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A teen has died after a landslide in Minneopa State Park, just outside Mankato, according to the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office. 

Just before 5 p.m. Saturday, authorities received a 911 call reporting someone trapped under the earth that had collapsed, the sheriff's office said. Emergency workers were able to locate the trapped 19-year-old man, but he was determined to be deceased once recovered. 

"I’ve been with Blue Earth County for almost 16 years and I’m not aware of anything similar happening," Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Brian Martin told FOX 9. Law enforcement was called at 4:52 p.m., and Lt. Martin said 30 first responders arrived at scene, using shovels to dig the man out.

Ultimately, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say two people were with the man at the park, before his death, "They are cooperating with law enforcement, we don’t suspect anything nefarious," Lieutenant Martin finished.

Park officials have since closed trails in the park that lead to the area where he died. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old’s body is on its way to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s office expects to release his name in the coming days.

The sheriff's office is currently investigating the incident and will release more information when it's available.