Kids, ages 2, and 6, die after boat capsizes

Authorities in Clearwater County say two of three children have died after the boat they were sailing in with their father capsized on Clearwater Lake, northwest of the Twin Cities.

A statement from Clearwater County Sheriff Mike Erickson reports that Dan Risland was sailing on Clearwater Lake Friday afternoon with his three children, ages 2, 6 and 8. The boat capsized and all four fell into the water. The children were all wearing life jackets.

Erickson says Risland swam to shore and stopped a vehicle. He says authorities who responded pulled the three children from the lake.

The sheriff's statement reports the two younger children are "surmised to have succumbed" to exposure and died of hypothermia. The youngest was taken to Bagley Hospital, where he died after being treated for several hours.

The 6-year-old was airlifted to Sanford Bemidji Hospital and died shortly after arrival.

The 8-year-old remains in critical condition in Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. .

In his statement, Erickson said there's no indication of foul play and "in this terrible accident and we are deeply saddened." The children's mother, Ruth Risland of Bemidji, was located several hours later and notified of the deaths.

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