Aitkin County Respond to Drowning

On Saturday August 24th just before 9 in the evening the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a male party who was camping with family at Savanna Portage State Park. He and his cousin had gone out on Wolf Lake in Balsam Township. The caller advised that the canoe they were in had capsized and sent both of them into the water. The parties attempted to swim back to shore. His cousin began to panic, went under the water and had not resurfaced. Neither of the parties were wearing a lifejacket and alcohol is believed to be a factor in this incident. Multiple agencies were dispatched to the location, teams arrived within 20 minutes and began searching for the victim. Htoo Shwe, 20, of St. Paul was located at the bottom of the lake and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the cause of death as freshwater drowning.

Aitkin County was assisted by Aitkin County Search & Rescue, McGregor Fire Department, McGregor First Responders, & McGregor Ambulance.

Tony Schmid News Director Rapids Radio