BLACKDUCK, Minn. — Three boaters are alive with a story to tell after being rescued from the waters of Blackduck Lake Tuesday.
Beltrami County Chief Deputy Jarrett Walton says deputies were dispatched just before 6:40 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a boat spinning in circles and three people in the water.
By the time first responders arrived at Blackduck Lake other boaters in the area had come to the rescue and plucked the victims, identified as 61-year-old James Waltz and 56-year-old Brenda Waltz of Hines, MN; and 29-year-old Holy Stevens of Austin, from the water.
DNR Enforcement officers and Blackduck Police officers managed to safely recover and shut off the watercraft. Operator error appears to be the cause of the incident as the boat driver showed no signs of impairment.
The Sheriff's Office is extending thanks to the quick thinking rescuers, James Harbaugh of Tenstrike, Nicholas Harbaugh of Mantorville, and Shawnn Schriber of Thielman.
