On Wednesday, May 20, at 1:51 p.m., a call went into Cook County Sheriff ’s Office 911 Dispatch, notifying authorities about an overturned canoe on Tuscarora Lake. The caller said three people were in a canoe that had capsized on Tuscarora Lake with two swimming to an island, and one, a 29-year-old male, was missing.
Cook County Sheriff ’s Office Deputies, Cook County Search & Rescue, Gunflint Fire Department, North Shore Health Ambulance, Minnesota DNR Conservation Officers, United States Border Patrol, United States Forest Service (USFS) Law Enforcement and a (USFS) Beaver floatplane responded to the staging area at Tuscarora Lodge to begin search and rescue operations.
The body of the missing party was located in the water and was recovered at approximately 3:26 p.m. by the USFS Beaver. Cook County Search & Rescue transported the body to North Shore Health.
“This certainly is not how we hoped the search would turnout, and a tough way to start the season, just days after the stay-at-home order was lifted,” said Sheriff Pat Eliasen. “Our hearts are with the two survivors and the deceased’s family. I also commend all of our emergency services who responded to this incident with swift actions and professionalism.”
The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family. There is no further information at this time.
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