EAST GULL LAKE, Minn. — Three men are recovering after being rescued from the frigid waters of Gull Lake in Cass County over the weekend.
Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch says deputies were dispatched just before 4 p.m. Saturday on a report of three people in the water and in distress near Gull Lake Resort. Squads arrived on scene and learned that a man had waded into the water near the mouth of the Gull River and was swept up in the current where it leaves Gull Lake.
Two men jumped into the water to help the man who was swept away, but all three were quickly pulled under water by the strong current moving through the area. At that point two resort guests went into the water and were able to rescue all three men and pull them to shore. Once there the good Samaritans assisted with first aid until ambulances arrived.
All three victims were transported to a local hospital for observation.
Sheriff Burch notes that the water in the area was moving very quickly downstream and the surface temperature was just 57 degrees Fahrenheit, which can lead to hypothermia. He says many lakes and rivers are experiencing high water levels from a near-record winter snow melt and heavily spring rains. Caution should be used when in, on and around all bodies of water especially those with current and moving water.
