Community Corner
Weather Threat Delays Search for Drowning Victim
Authorities haven't released the identity of the victim, who is from Minneapolis.
The threat of severe weather has caused a temporarily halt to the search for a drowning victim in Lake Minnetonka.
"Severe weather has been causing the search to be suspended for periods of time, on and off," Lisa Kiava, communications director for the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, said. "Every effort is being made to search continuously."
The drowning happened about 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening off of Big Island on Lower Lake North. After swimming about 25 feet to help with minor repairs on a nearby personal watercraft, a Minneapolis man in his 40s began to struggle on his way back and went under. He wasn't wearing a life jacket, according to authorities, who aren't yet releasing the man's identity.
Find out what's happening in Lake Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Witnesses tried to rescue the man but were unsuccessful. This was the first drowning on Lake Minnetonka in 2-1/2 years, according to Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek.
Recovery efforts were immediately launched, and emergency responders used sonar to comb the area where the victim was last seen. His body hadn't been found as of early Monday afternoon.The Orono Police Department, Long Lake Fire Department, Wayzata Fire Department, an air unit from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.
Find out what's happening in Lake Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch will post additional details as they become available.
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