Police: 67-Year-Old Drowns In Itasca County

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 67-year-old man from Nashwauk, Minn., drowned on July 4 at Bray Lake, police say.

Itasca County Sheriff's Office said James George Gleason was swimming out to a neighbors' raft to visit some friends at about 12:39 p.m. on Wednesday, but when he got within 20 yards, he became motionless and was floating in the water.

Witnesses yelled for help, pulled him into a boat and CPR was performed before first responders took over.

However, Gleason was pronounced dead at University Medical Center-Mesabi in Hibbing, Minn.

Statewide, at least 25 people have drowned this year, including eight in the Twin Cities.

That makes it one of the highest totals in a decade.