5-Year-Old Drowns Near Rush City
CENTER CITY, Minn. (WCCO) -- A 5-year-old boy drowned in a lake Tuesday evening just west of Rush City, according to the Chisago County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities said the boy's family was visiting friends and family on Round Lake. Five-year-old Matthew Seifert went to go swim in the lake.
Family members told him to wear a life jacket, authorities said. When they couldn't find Seifert a short time later, they went to look for him and found a life jacket on a dock. He was found in the lake a short distance away in about 12 to 14 feet of water.
Authorities said it appears Seifert was going to the dock to get his life jacket when he fell in the water.
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Rescue crews arrived at the scene and attempted to revive the boy, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chisago County Sergeant Steve Pouti says, even with the best intentions, accidents happen.
"It's believed he attempted to retrieve his lifejacket from the dock when he possibly fell in the water without the lifejacket," said Pouti.
It can happen in seconds, says Pouti -- a tragic reminder at a time when so many kids want to be in the water during our heat wave.
