Possible Drowning in Root River Near Lanesboro
Whalan, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a possible drowning.
Sheriff Tom Kaase says deputies responded to a 911 call around 2:30 Saturday afternoon that requested medical help on the bike trail along the Root River just east of Whalan.
First Responders found a Minneapolis woman unresponsive and efforts to revive her were unsuccessful. Officials say 63-year-old Wendy Beth Anderson was canoeing with her husband when they ran into a log in the fast-moving water and their canoe overturned. Her husband was able to bring her to the river bank and a passing bicyclist went to seek help after hearing his yells for assistance.
The Sheriff says an autopsy was ordered to determine the exact cause of the woman's death.
He notes it was the third recent incident in the same general area on the Root River, which has been running high and more swiftly, creating conditions difficult for novice or inexperienced canoeists, kayakers and tubers.