The name of the young man presumed drowned at Temperance River in
Tofte has been released. The victim has been identified as Alec Paul
Bertil Lawrenz, 18, of Wayzata, Minnesota. Lawrenz was camping at
Temperance River State Park with a group of friends.
At approximately 6:34 p.m. on June 11, Cook County Law Enforcement
received a 9-1-1 call reporting that “a kid fell into the gorge at
Temperance River State Park.”
Cook County Deputies, Minnesota State Patrol, Tofte and Schroeder
First Responders, Cook County Search and Rescue, Cook County Ambulance,
U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Border Patrol responded to the scene. It was
discovered that Lawrenz was swimming when he went through the strong
current under a bridge and did not resurface.
Search efforts lasted until dark on June 11 and resumed on June 12
and again today. Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen said efforts to recover
the body have been hampered by the strong river current, limited
visibility under the water and the presence of debris. Sheriff Eliasen
said the river bottom in this area ranges from 3-10 feet in depth and
there are trees, rocks and concrete containing remnant of re-bar making
any dragging efforts problematic. Weather and the subsequent rising of
water levels in the river have also impeded recovery efforts.
Cook County Search and Rescue is being assisted by Itasca County
Search and Rescue, as well as St. Louis County Search and Rescue. Divers
have been ruled out so far due to the dangerous conditions of current
and debris. Side scan sonar will be utilized today to get a better
picture of the river bottom and assist in location of the body.
The scenic, but deadly, Temperance River has been the site of many
drownings. On August 2, 2013, Pavel Shtrefleng of Eden Prairie,
Minnesota, was swimming in a pool just below the bridge when, according
to witnesses, he got caught in the current and was pulled under. On July
4, 2009, a 45-year-old man from Ramsey, Minnesota was swept away in the
current while swimming. In 2008, two young women, 17 and 22, from Maple
Grove, Minnesota 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, Minnesota 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, Minnesota drowned while rescuing his
12-year-old daughter. In 1996, a 14-year-old boy from Crystal, Minnesota
drowned after diving at one of Temperance’s waterfalls
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