Boy, 5, dies in fall at northern Minnesota mine pit
A 5-year-old boy died when he fell from the side of a mine pit in northern Minnesota on Wednesday.
According to the Virginia Police Department, the boy fell approximately 70 feet from the edge of the Rouchleau mine pit in Virginia around 4:09 p.m. Police have not said what caused the child to fall, but it appears to have been an accident.
KBJR reports that "at least two people fell from the side of the pit," though police have not said what condition anyone else is in.
The situation was first declared a water emergency at the mine pit, with the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office among the agencies responding to the scene near 3rd Street North and 1st Avenue North.
According to WDIO, the Rouchleau Pit is located on the east side of Virginia and has a depth of 450 feet. The station adds that the U.S. Hwy. 53 bridge over the pit is the tallest in Minnesota.
More information is expected to be released at a later time.
