Frazee Lake Rescue Saves Four After Boat Capsizes
Frazee (trfnews.i234.me) — Four people were rescued Friday evening after a paddle boat capsized on Eagle Lake southwest of Frazee.
The Becker County Sheriff’s Office received the report around 7:37 p.m.
Authorities were initially told three people were in the water.
Three Found Clinging To Overturned Boat
Deputies arrived and found a paddle boat with a trolling motor attached had flipped over.
One person had already made it safely to shore.
Three others were still clinging to the overturned boat.
A sheriff’s sergeant put on a personal flotation device and swam toward the group.
The sergeant brought 70-year-old Ruth Matteson of Bertha back to shore.
Matteson had been wearing a life jacket.
Authorities said she was unresponsive when she reached shore.
Private Boaters Help With Rescue
Four private citizens who were boating nearby also came to help.
Two of them joined the rescue effort on the water.
They worked with the sergeant and the Frazee Fire Chief.
The remaining two people in the water were then brought safely to shore.
Three Taken For Medical Treatment
Dustin Strobel, 43, of Staples, was taken to Essentia-St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes.
Melodie Pope, 46, of Bertha, was also transported to the hospital.
Authorities said both were believed to have non-life-threatening injuries.
Matteson was airlifted to a Fargo hospital.
Her condition was not immediately available.
Cindy Steuck, 41, of Bertha, had no apparent injuries.
She was not transported for medical treatment.
Boat Apparently Began Taking On Water
Investigators believe the paddle boat started taking on water while returning to the access.
Authorities said the added water made the boat unstable.
The boat then overturned, throwing the occupants into Eagle Lake.
The incident remains under investigation.
The Becker County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Frazee Fire Department and Frazee Rescue.
Essentia-St. Mary’s EMS and Life Link Air Ambulance also responded.
More information about boating safety is available from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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