Possible mental health emergency leads to extended water rescue

A report of a person behaving erratically led to an extended water emergency yesterday.

The caller told the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office that a man appeared to be having a mental health emergency on the bike trail in Moose Lake Township just after 4:20 p.m. Thursday, April 11, according to a news release.

Deputies and a conservation officer with the Minnesota DNR responded and attempted to speak with a 32-year-old Moose Lake man. The man was uncooperative and walked into the woods and the nearby Moose Horn River. The male swam up the river into Moose Head Lake.

The Moose Lake Fire Department and Essentia Health EMS were called to assist. While in the water, the male remained uncooperative while rescuers attempted to communicate and convince him to get on the rescue boats. After approximately 50 minutes in the water, deputies were able to take him into custody, according to a news release. He did not appear to have any serious injuries and was transported to Essentia Health Moose Lake for a medical evaluation.

The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Minnesota DNR, Moose Lake Fire Department, and Essentia Health EMS.