Sheriff: Father, Daughter Drown In Lake Superior In Duluth
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A father and daughter were pulled from Lake Superior Thursday after going missing off of Park Point Beach in Duluth.
Fire officials say they were called to the area just before 4:30 p.m. after a girl reported that her father, 38, and young sister, 10, had disappeared while swimming in the lake near the Park Point Beach House.
Asst. Chief Erik Simonson says the fire department issued a red flag warning earlier in the day due to a high risk for riptides.
Multiple agencies -- including the U.S. Coast Guard and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad –- searched the shoreline with five boats.
The search was complicated by waves that were up to seven-feet high.
The missing girl was found at about 5:22 p.m., and her father was found just after 6 p.m. She had been in the water for about 60 minutes, while he was missing for about 90 minutes.
They were both taken to Essential Health in Duluth, where they were later pronounced dead. Their identities have not been released, but authorities say they were from Wisconsin.
This was also a dangerous situation for rescuers. Two first responders were thrown out of their boat by strong waves.
One of the rescuers was taken to the hospital to be treated for possible water in his lungs.
The red flag rip current warning will stay in effect until Friday morning.