A summer swim on Lake Vermilion turned deadly Friday when a 39-year-old man died after what authorities describe as an apparent electrocution in the water near a docked boat.
St. Louis County deputies and rescue crews were called to the scene near the 9100 block of Voss Road in Beatty Township, where the man was pronounced dead. Officials have not released his name as they work to notify family members.
How Officials Say It Unfolded
According to CBS Minnesota, deputies were dispatched around 4:45 p.m. after a 911 caller reported a swimmer in distress on the lake. Witnesses told investigators the man had grabbed onto a docked boat and appeared to receive an electrical shock, then went unconscious in the water.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the boat’s electrical system was plugged into a nearby boathouse at the time of the incident.
Rescue Efforts And Early Investigation
Emergency responders from the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade and area ambulance services attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive the man, WDIO reports.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office notified the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, and the death remains under investigation, according to local reporting. Agencies also thanked nearby ambulance services and Lifelink crews for their assistance at the scene, per Northern News Now.
Why Plugged-In Boats And Swimming Do Not Mix
Electrical problems around docks and marinas can energize the surrounding water and lead to what is known as electric shock drowning. Even relatively low levels of stray current can paralyze a swimmer’s muscles, making it impossible to swim or keep their head above water.
Safety organizations warn that people should avoid swimming near boats that are connected to shore power and around docks with active electrical systems. Groups and industry research recommend that marinas and boat owners use ground-fault protection and have wiring and equipment inspected regularly by qualified marine electricians, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International and the NFPA Research Foundation.
Modern protective devices, including boat-level equipment leakage circuit interrupters and shore-side ground-fault circuit interrupters, can significantly reduce the risk when they are properly installed and maintained, those groups note.
Investigators Zero In On Boat’s Electrical System
St. Louis County investigators are examining the boat’s electrical system and working to determine exactly how the man came into contact with electrical current, according to KSTP.
No criminal charges have been announced, and officials have not released the victim’s name pending family notification, Northern News Now reports. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Bring Me The News notes.
