Search expands for missing Minn. boaters

Published 10:22 am Thursday, October 8, 2015

BAUDETTE — Law enforcement officers looking for three missing men on the Lake of the Woods in northern Minnesota have expanded their search.

The Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Department said the search Wednesday was expanded to the Sturgeon Channel area on the lake. A four-hour air search was done by the U.S. Border Patrol Air Unit. And a foot search was done on several shallow water areas near the shoreline on Flag Island.

Authorities said there is still no sign of the missing boaters, Keith Ayers, Cory Ostendorf and Justin Haugtvedt. Sheriff Gary Fish said the men’s capsized boat was found on the lake last Saturday. Three life jackets were found in the water.

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The three men were last seen leaving Sunset Lodge.