2 neighbors die ice-fishing on central Minnesota lake

Published 7:30 pm Monday, December 10, 2018

CUSHING — Crews have recovered the bodies of two neighbors who died while ice-fishing on a lake in central Minnesota.

Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen says the fishermen were reported overdue Sunday evening on Fish Trap Lake north of Cushing. The sheriff’s office also learned that a side-by-side ATV was missing.

Responders first found the body of 69-year-old Wayne Vaverek of Cushing. Despite lifesaving efforts, Vaverek was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Searchers were unable to find the other fisherman until Monday, when dive teams found the body of 71-year-old Leonard Sanoski of Cushing in the enclosed cab of the ATV in about 40 feet of water.

The sheriff said the incident happened on a pressure ridge about 200 yards long, 75 yards wide and marked with cones.