Elk River man drowns after falling from boat west of the Twin Cities

An Elk River man died in a drowning accident Tuesday at Granite Lake, which is west of the Twin Cities in Albion Township, Wright County. 

According to the Wright County Sheriff's Office, 83-year-old Robert Jacobson was boating with a 76-year-old Annandale man when around 3:20 p.m. Jacobson fell off the front of the boat when the motor shifted from reverse to forward, having been in reverse to rid the propeller of aquatic weeds. 

The Annandale man threw Jacobson a life vest, but Jacobson wasn't moving in the water. The 76-year-old jumped into the water to help but couldn't get Jacobson out of the water. 

A boater in the area responded and was able to hold Jacobson above the water, while the 76-year-old swam back to his boat, though was unable to pull himself out of the lake. 

First responders helped both men out of the water and lifesaving efforts were performed on Jacobson, while an ambulance and Life Link helicopter responded to the scene to assist. Jacobson, though, was pronounced dead at 4:32 p.m. 

The incident is under investigation.