ST PAUL, Minn. — One man was found dead in the Mississippi River Sunday, and several others were rescued after being swept into the water from storm drains they were exploring.
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office said deputies were sent to the river shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday morning in the area of the Marshall Avenue bridge. A 911 caller had reported that their friends may have drowned.
St. Paul Fire Department Deputy Chief Roy Mokosso says five adults were exploring inside large storm drains near the river when a thunderstorm started. The explorers were washed into the river by the heavy discharge of rain water from the storm.
Five rescue boats were immediately launched by Ramsey County Water Patrol, and St. Paul and Minneapolis Fire and Rescue. Four people were located on the St. Paul side of the Mississippi above the dam. They were checked out by paramedics and found to have minor injuries.
One individual remained unaccounted for. Rescue crews searched until 4 a.m., suspended operations due to heavy rainfall, and then resumed around 9:30 a.m. The victim's body was located in the water around 11:30 a.m. near the Marshall Avenue bridge.
Officials identified the man Tuesday as Tiquan “TJ” Davis Jr., 20, of Little Canada.
