Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

St. Louis County Sheriff's Office News Release

Incident Date: July 19th, 2021

Incident Time: 11:41 AM

Incident location: East Loon Bay Loon Lake BWCAW Township 67 Range 15

Click to edit this placeholder text.

INDIVIDUAL(S) INVOLVED: (Refer to News Media Policy-Rules III A. I Thru 4: Procedures B.1, A thru J & 1; 2b; 3b; g & h; 4a, b, & c)

Name: Wayne L. Morrow

Name: Denis M. Guenther

Name:

Age:  73

Age: 65

Age:

Address: Fort Lupton, CO

Address: Grand Junction, CO

Address:

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Incident Summary: On 07-19-2021, at approximately 1141 AM, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, MN DNR, US Forest Service, Crane Lake Fire/First Responders, and Orr Ambulance Service responded to Handberg's Marine on Crane Lake for a reported water emergency in East Loon Bay Loon Lake in the BWCAW.  St. Louis County dispatch (911) received a call from Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely, MN advising that a canoe had capsized and two parties were in the water.  It was reported that one party made it to shore and one was missing. It was determined that Morrow and Guenther were canoeing in East Loon Bay when they encountered heavy rain and winds due to a severe storm passing through the area.  Their canoe capsized from a wave and they were thrown into the water.  Guenther was able to swim to shore with their gear, while Morrow remained with the canoe.  When Guenther returned to the canoe, Morrow was missing and presumed he had drowned.  Search efforts were conducted by the St. Louis County Rescue squad using their ROV (Remoted Operated Vehicle) equipment.  Morrow was found submerged in 61 feet of water.  Life jackets were accessible but were not in use by Morrow and Guenther.  The incident is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Midwest Medical Examiner's Office. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office would like to remind people to wear their life jackets at all times when partaking in boating related activities.  

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Authority:  Sgt. Robert Tarr (218) 742-9825

Date:      07-20-21                                                    Time: 7:30 AM

Additional Information or Update:

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Authority:                                                       Date:                        Time: