Violent storm injures campers in BWCAW, one death reported

On Sunday night, June 19, a number of intense storms moved through northeastern Minnesota. According to Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen, one person died and another was critically injured on Duncan Lake during Sunday night’s storm. Duncan Lake is a popular lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness located near West Bearskin Lake.

In a separate incident during Sunday night’s storms, another male camper in the BWCAW was injured on Clove Lake when a tree fell on his campsite. The male was evacuated from Clove Lake and transported to the Cook County Northshore Hospital by ambulance. Clove Lake is located near the Granite River and Gunflint Lake. 

Both calls for medical assistance came in to the Cook County Sheriff’s Department at approximately 10:30 p.m. Sunday night following the incidents on Duncan and Clove. Gunflint Trail Search and Rescue, Gunflint Fire Department, First Responders, Cook County Ambulance and Cook County Search and Rescue all responded to the scene. The rescue on Duncan was also aided by staff from YMCA Camp Menogyn.

From the Mid-Gunflint Trail area down to Seagull Lake at the end of the Trail, reports of downed trees and power outages were reported Sunday night. 

The names of those who were injured and the individual who died are being withheld until families are notified.