19-year-old man drowns in southwest Minnesota lake

Nobles County Sheriff's Office dive team members search for a drowning victim at Sailboard Beach on Lake Okabena Monday afternoon, July 11, 2022.

By Julie Buntjer

July 12, 2022 at 12:01 PM

WORTHINGTON 鈥� A 19-year-old Worthington man drowned in approximately 10 feet of water off the shoreline of Sailboard Beach in Lake Okabena Monday afternoon.

The Worthington Fire Department, Worthington Police and Nobles County Sheriff鈥檚 Office responded to the reported drowning at 4:24 p.m. At the scene, they were informed a 19-year-old male was swimming and had gone under the water and not resurfaced.

Nobles County Sheriff's search and rescue aids Worthington Fire Department and Worthington police Departments in search for drowning victim in Lake Okabena at Sailbord beach Monday afternoon.

At approximately 5:46 p.m., an unresponsive male was recovered from the water by the Nobles County Sheriff鈥檚 Office and Worthington Fire Department. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Nobles County Sheriff Ryan Kruger.

During the search, law enforcement officers closed a portion of Lake Street to traffic, using yellow police tape to block off the area near Sailboard Beach.

Several agencies responded to the call, including the Nobles County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, Worthington Police Department, Worthington Fire and Rescue, Sanford Ambulance and Luverne Fire and Rescue. Several community members assisted with the search as well.

By Julie Buntjer

Julie Buntjer became editor of The Globe in July 2021, after working as a beat reporter at the Worthington newspaper since December 2003. She has a bachelor's degree in agriculture journalism from South Dakota State University.

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19-year-old man drowns in southwest Minnesota lake

Individual was found in 10 feet of water.