Sheriff: Man Drowns After Canoe Flips On Lake Jane In Lake Elmo

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Washington County Sheriff's Office says one man is dead after an apparent drowning at an east metro lake on Thursday.

Authorities were called at about 11:15 a.m. to a report of missing boaters on Lake Jane in Lake Elmo. Sheriff's deputies learned three men were out fishing in a canoe on the lake, when it somehow tipped.

Authorities say all three men are all in their 20s. One man wearing a life jacket was rescued by a resident who lives on the lake and rushed out with a pontoon to save the man. Another man not wearing a life jacket was also saved by the neighbor.

Sheriff's deputies recovered the body of the third man, 27-year-old Ken Xiong, from Woodbury. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a life jacket.

Authorities say alcohol does not appear to be involved in the accident.

The weather was windy and there were white caps on the lake, according to law enforcement.

The canoe became full of water and sank. Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry said this is the second drowning in the last month in the county.

"Please wear your life preserver and make sure it is on securely," Starry said.

Neighbors like Geoff Laramy living around the lake said they are not surprised someone helped the men.

"People here are very nice and thoughtful," Laramy said.

The Good Samaritan was shaken up, according to the sheriff.

"He is torn," Starry said. "He did an outstanding job getting out to the scene as fast as he could, calling 911, and handling everything he had in front of him."

Starry said the man who helped did not want to receive attention for his act, he was just doing what he thought was the right thing to do.

The incident is under investigation.