Dangerous Situation

A group of canoers narrowly escaped a dangerous situation over the weekend.

Just after 7pm on Saturday evening the Wadena County Sheriff's Office received a report of a capsized canoe on the Crow Wing River.

Authorities say three people were scattered around a one mile area after their canoe turned sideways in a strong current and then tangled up in some tree branches.

The canoe capsized and the parties went into the river.

From the time of the capsizing, it took about two and a half hours for rescue crews to get the victims out of the water.

Less than a month ago all rescue personnel received new floatation devices that were successfully put to use in this incident.

And with high water levels and fast currents due to the spring thaw, recreational sportsmen need to pay close attention to the conditions around them.

All three of the victims were treated and released at the scene.

That white water stuff can be deadly.

If the river isn't calm I don't venture out in it, I can't swim.

Earlier this spring, there were 3 canoers somewhere in Kentucky going whitewater rafting. They lost one person. Don't know if they ever found them or not. I know they had searched for a couple days for this person.