Authorities have confirmed that the body of one of the missing canoeists has been discovered nearly two weeks after a tragic incident at Curtain Falls in northern Minnesota. The victim has been identified as Jesse Haugen, 41, of Cambridge, Minnesota. Search and rescue teams located his body near Curtain Falls, as reported by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
The search continues for the second missing canoeist, identified as Reis Grams, 40, of Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Efforts to locate Grams have been ongoing for nearly two weeks since the initial incident.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the situation at Iron Lake near the Canadian border on May 18. Two canoes had gone over Curtain Falls in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, resulting in one individual sustaining severe injuries and two individuals going missing.
Following the distress call, a helicopter was deployed to rescue the injured and uninjured individuals. The injured person was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The tragic events at Curtain Falls have left families and friends devastated, as expressed by the St. Louis County Rescue Squad in a recent Facebook post. Search efforts have faced numerous challenges, including limited communication due to unreliable cell phone and radio signals.
Despite setbacks, search and rescue teams have been tirelessly working to locate the missing canoeist. The operation involves the use of remotely-operated vehicles and drones to aid in the search efforts.
Curtain Falls presents significant accessibility challenges, requiring support from aviation partners to transport personnel and equipment in and out of the remote area. The dedication of the rescue teams has been evident, with members working through the night and planning to resume the search at first light.
Tragically, this incident follows another recent fatality in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, underscoring the importance of safety precautions when engaging in outdoor activities in the region.
The community remains in mourning as the search for the missing canoeist continues in the challenging terrain near the Minnesota-Canada border.
