LAKE IRVING DROWNING RECOVERY

BEMIDJI, BELTRAMI COUNTY, MN: On Sunday, January 10, 2020, at approximately 1:00 PM, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a vehicle possibly going through the ice on Lake Irving. Lake Irving is a 660 acre lake located in the City of Bemidji. Beltrami County Deputies and Bemidji Fire Department responded to the scene and learned that a set of tire tracks had been located that led to a hole in the ice in an area known to have unstable ice.

Immediately, Beltrami County Deputies used an un-manned aircraft system and Bemidji Fire Department deployed a hovercraft and underwater camera to search the area.

Divers from the Lakes Area Dive Team arrived on scene and divers confirmed that a vehicle had been located below the ice. Divers and personnel continued to search the area until darkness limited their visibility. A search for the vehicles occupant(s) continued this morning.

No other information is available at this time.

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BEMIDJI, BELTRAMI COUNTY, MN: On Monday, January 11, 2020, at approximately 6:30 PM, searchers recovered the body of an adult male victim from Lake Irving. The deceased was located with the assistance of an underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) provided and operated by the Red Lake Department of Public Safety Conservation Enforcement. The deceased was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The name of the deceased will be released after confirmation by the medical examiner.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office is extremely grateful for the tremendous amount of support, and teamwork from the Bemidji Fire Department, Bemidji Police Department, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Enforcement, Red Lake Department of Public Safety Conservation Enforcement and the volunteer men and women of the Lakes Area Dive Team.

Sheriff Ernie Beitel

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office