Brooklyn Center HS student-athlete drowns at Waite Park nature preserve
WAITE PARK, Minn. — A 17-year-old Brooklyn Center student-athlete drowned on Tuesday after jumping into a quarry in central Minnesota Tuesday, according to authorities.
The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office identified the teen as Emmanuel Seward Jr., with his official cause of death listed as an accidental drowning.
According to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, Seward jumped into the water from a 10-foot cliff at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park and never came up. Witnesses dove in to find him but were unsuccessful.
Authorities were called around 4:20 p.m. and responded with boats to search the quarry. Seward was found in 31 feet of water nearly four-and-a-half hours after the original 911 call.
Kevin Pitman, coach of the Brooklyn Center Centaurs baseball team, honored Seward, or "E-Man," on Thursday in a Facebook post, which read in part:
E-Man has a trademark smirk. Sets a PR in the weight room, that smirk. Sacks the quarterback or cranks a ball into the gap, that smirk. Cheddar Ruffles, smirk. Joking with friends, smirk. Caused a little mischief, smirk. I will always remember E-Man with that smile on his face and the energy he brings anywhere he goes.
Our little baseball program won't be the same without you E. I take solace in knowing that I never hesitated to tell you that I loved you when I'd drop you off after practice.
My Centaurs, take it easy, be kind to yourself, give your closest friends and family a big hug, and eat some Cheddar Ruffles for E-Man.
The community will gather on Friday at noon for a balloon release in his honor at Brooklyn Center High School's football field. All are welcome to attend.