Water emergency

What initially appeared to be a mental health crisis led to an extended water emergency in Moose Lake last week. In a call to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office at 4:21 p.m. April 11, a caller reported a man appeared to be having a mental health emergency on the bike trail in Moose Lake Township. 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 man 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. The man 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.