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Deadly Summer On Minnesota Lakes, Rivers

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Six drownings occurred in Minnesota over the weekend, underscoring an already tragic summer on the waters.

"It's almost been, at least during July, it's been a perfect storm of water accidents", said Tim Smalley, water safety expert for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

He said the extended periods of hot weather have been a major factor. The death toll is up for swimming and boating accidents.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Steve Murphy Reports

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"We have 12 boating fatalities right now; that's compared to two last year at this time," Smalley said.

He said Minnesota also had "27 non-boating related drownings compared to 18 last year at this time. So, definitely some bad things are happening."

Smalley said there's a pattern to many of the drownings every summer: overestimating one's ability to swim distances, failure to wear life jackets and alcohol.

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