Colorado man dies after canoe capsizes during storm in Boundary Waters
A 73-year-old Colorado man was canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) Monday when their boat capsized and he died.
According to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, Wayne Morrow, 73, of Fort Lupton, Colorado, and Denis Guenther, 65, of Grand Junction, Colorado, were canoeing in East Loon Bay on Loon Lake in the BWCAW when a severe storm bringing heavy rain and winds moved through the area.
A wave capsized their canoe and the two men were thrown in the water around 11:41 a.m. Monday.
Guenther swam to shore with their gear, while Morrow stayed with the canoe. When Guenther returned to the canoe, Morrow was missing and presumed he'd drowned.
The St. Louis County Rescue Squad, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), found Morrow submerged in 61 feet of water. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Midwest Medical Examiner's Office is investigating.
Life jackets were accessible but were not used. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is reminding people to wear a life jacket at all times when partaking in boating-related activities.
Note: The details provided in this story are based on the law enforcement's latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
