INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — The National Park Service (NPS) is investigating the death of a law enforcement park ranger after the ranger responded to a call for assistance from a distressed vessel.
The ranger responded to the civilian vessel in distress on Namakan Lake in Voyageurs National Park, according to NPS.
While the ranger was towing the other vehicle, the park service boat capsized and forced the ranger and all three people who were being helped from the boat into the water.
The three people being assisted swam to safety but the ranger remained unaccounted for, according to the park service.
"After a three-hour search, the ranger’s body was recovered from Namakan Lake at approximately 3:20 p.m.," said an NPS statement.
High winds and rough waters were reported at the time of the incident.
Namakan Lake is a body of water that stretches out over 25,000 acres on the border of Minnesota and Ontario. It is 16 miles long and seven miles wide at one point and is among the network of lakes that encompass Voyageurs National Park.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
