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Park ranger dies in Voyageurs National Park during call for assistance

By FOX 9 Staff
Published  October 6, 2024 10:21pm CDT
Minnesota
FOX 9

The Brief 

    • A Voyageurs National Park law enforcement ranger died on Namakan Lake Sunday.
    • The ranger was responding to a distressed civilian vessel on the lake when the ranger's boat capsized.
    • The ranger has not been identified. No other injuries were reported.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. (FOX 9) - A law enforcement park ranger died after responding to a call for assistance on Namakan Lake in Voyaguers National Park Sunday. 

What we know

According to a press release from Voyageurs National Park, the park ranger was responding to a call for assistance late Sunday morning from a distressed civilian vessel on Namakan Lake. 

The boat being used by the ranger capsized as it was towing the distressed vessel, causing the ranger and three civilians being assisted to go into the water, officials said. 

The three civilians were able to swim to safety, but the ranger was not accounted for. After a three-hour search, the body of the ranger was found in Namakan Lake, authorities say. 

Rough waters and high winds were reported at the time of the incident.  

What we don't know

Authorities are investigating the incident. It is unknown why the civilians were distressed. 

The identity of the ranger has not been released. 

Authorities did not say whether the civilians were injured. 

The Source

  • A press release from Voyaguers National Park.