Esko man nearly drowns Saturday

A 64-year-old Esko man was rescued Saturday evening after falling off a jet ski on Caribou Lake in Canosia Township.

According to the St. Louis Sheriff’s Office, the man had taken the jet ski for a ride but was not wearing a personal flotation device. While riding, the jet ski flipped and the man fell off. The man struggled to stay above water and a good Samaritan saw him struggling in the water. The good Samaritan then responded on his jet ski and pulled the man from the water and to shore, where the man lost consciousness. The call came into dispatch at 7:16 p.m. Saturday, July 13, reporting that the man was having difficulty breathing. The man was attended to by medical personnel and transported to Essentia Health Duluth by the Mayo Ambulance. He was stable at the time of the transport. Neither the man or his rescuer were identified in the news release.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone of the dangers of being on our abundant, beautiful waterways without wearing personal flotation devices. Please wear your PFD and use caution while enjoying our waterways responsibly.