Cook County News Herald

Search for swimmer under way at Temperance River




A search is under way at Temperance River in Tofte for a young man who disappeared while swimming in the river yesterday.

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 a young adult swimmer went through the strong current under a bridge and did not resurface.

 Search efforts lasted until dark and have resumed this morning. 

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is unable to release any further information at this time.

The scenic but deadly Temperance River has been the site of many drownings the latest 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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