2 Northwood residents die in kayaking accident

Published 11:22 am Monday, May 21, 2018

Two Northwood residents died over the weekend after their boat overturned on a northwestern Minnesota lake.

The victims were identified as Jesse Anderson, 42, and his 4-year-old son. A Facebook post lists his name as Micah.

According to the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office, a call was received at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday regarding two kayakers on Hart Lake, southeast of Bemidji, who overturned in their kayak and had not come back to the water’s surface.

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Responding agencies reportedly found the kayak upside down with no sign of the victims. After the search began, emergency units on the water found the 4-year-old in the water and began CPR, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The boy was taken by Cass Lake Ambulance and then North Memorial Air Care to the University of Minnesota hospital. The Sheriff’s Office received notification the boy died late Sunday after he was taken off life support.

The body of Jesse Anderson was recovered from Hart Lake in 6 feet of water at about 11 a.m. Sunday. First responders attempted to find him Saturday night, but the search was delayed because of weather and darkness.

Family members said the 4-year-old boy was wearing a life jacket. When the boy was found, he was not wearing a life jacket, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Jesse Anderson was not wearing a life jacket, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, Bemidji and Cass Lake ambulance crews, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Port first responders and Fire Department, Lakes Area Dive Team, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota State Patrol and Pike Bay Police Department assisted on scene.

Accounts have been set up at Northwood State Bank to assist the family, and a bucket will be available for donations at Tequila’s Mexican Bar & Grill.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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