Three drownings reported in Minnesota over holiday weekend
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
At least three people drowned in Minnesota lakes and rivers over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and a teenager was critically injured while swimming at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.
St. Croix River
A 20-year-old man drowned Sunday evening in the St. Croix River at St. Croix Beach.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said first responders were called to the scene just after 6:30 p.m. Deputies and bystanders entered the water, located the man, brought him to shore and started lifesaving measures. He later died at a hospital.
About 20 minutes passed between the initial 911 call, and when he was located.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
The sheriff’s office on Tuesday identified the man who died as Yonathan Gomez-Diaz of Hudson, Wis.
“Preliminary information indicates Gomez-Diaz and a friend were wading in the designated swimming area. Both individuals were reportedly unable to swim and encountered a sudden drop-off near the edge of the swim zone,” the sheriff’s office reported.
Lake Ann
Authorities recovered the body of a man from Lake Ann in Chanhassen on Saturday night, after he went underwater and did not resurface.
The Carver County Sheriff’s Office said the man had been kayaking at Lake Ann Park and was not wearing a life jacket when he went into the water at about 7:20 p.m. and did not resurface.
He was located by the Carver County Dive Team just before 10 p.m.; recovery efforts were delayed by thunderstorms that moved through the area.
The sheriff’s office on Monday identified the man as Earnest Corderia Claiborn, 36, of Eden Prairie
Movil Lake
A 23-year-old man was found dead Friday night after he went into the water from a boat and didn’t resurface at Movil Lake, north of Bemidji.
The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office said the it was called to the scene at about 5 p.m. Deputies and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were assisted by other boaters in the area.
“At approximately 5:30 p.m. an object was identified in approximately 25 feet of water that was believed to be a body,” the sheriff’s office reported. “Prior to the arrival of the Lakes Area Dive Team, first responders had to evacuate the lake as severe thunderstorms moved into the area.”
When authorities were able to go back out on the water, they located the man’s body at about 8:30 p.m. Authorities on Tuesday identified him as Matthew James Rayta of Maple Grove.
Minnehaha Falls
A 16-year-old boy was reported in critical condition Saturday night after being pulled from the water below Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.
Callers reported the teen went missing at about 5:20 p.m. while swimming with family members in the basin below the falls.
“Upon arrival, fire crews initiated a rapid search and rescue operation. Firefighters donned swift-water rescue suits, established rope safety lines, and entered the water at the location where the teen was last seen,” the Minneapolis Fire Department reported. “Crews were able to locate the individual submerged in the water basin and brought him to shore.”
The teen was taken to a hospital in critical condition; there were no updates on his condition as of Monday morning.
