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 on Friday, August 2.
An emergency call came in to Cook County Law Enforcement at approximately 5:25 p.m. A frantic caller reported that someone was drowning at Temperance River State Park in Schroeder.
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, that young man 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 8-yearold son. Another father, 48, from Remer, MN drowned while rescuing his 12-yearold daughter. In 1996, a 14-year-old boy from Crystal, MN drowned after diving at one of Temperance’s waterfalls.
Leave a Reply