The Temperance River rapids have taken another life. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office reports that a 20-year-old man drowned while swimming in the Temperance River, Friday, August 2
At approximately 5:25 p.m. on Friday, August 2, an emergency 911 call was made for help at Temperance River State Park in Schroeder. The caller said someone was drowning in the river on the lakeside of Highway 61.
The man, Pavel Shtrefleng of Eden Prairie, MN, was swimming in a pool just below the bridge when, according to witnesses, he got caught in the current and was pulled under several times. His brother attempted to save him, but was unable to reach him because of the current.
Shtrefleng was submerged for approximately 4-5 minutes before the current released him. His brother and another person were then able to reach him and bring him to shore where CPR was begun. CPR was performed for approximately 20 – 30 minutes before Cook County Ambulance arrived. Tofte – Schroeder First Responders assisted with CPR.
The Cook County Ambulance transported Shtrefleng to the Cook County North Shore Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
This is the same location where rescuers were paged on June 30, 2013 to rescue a 16-year-old boy from Northfield, MN. Fortunately, he survived.
Temperance River has been the site of many drownings however. On July 4, 2009, a 45-year-old man from Ramsey, MN was swept away in the current while swimming. In 2008, two young women, 17 and 22, from Maple Grove, MN perished after being swept away by the current in a popular wading spot further up the river. In 2001, a 22-year-old hiker from Finland, MN died after falling in the river. In 2000, a 50-year-old Wisconsin man drowned while saving his eight-year-old son. Another father, 48, from Remer, MN drowned while rescuing his 12-year-old daughter. In 1996, a 14-year-old boy from Crystal, MN drowned after diving at one of Temperance’s waterfalls.
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