71-year-old grandfather drowns while fishing with two grandchildren, Wisconsin cops say

A 71-year-old grandfather drowned as he helped his grandchildren struggling in the water, Wisconsin authorities say.

The Barron County Sheriff’s Department said the fatal incident happened during the grandfather’s fishing and swimming outing with his two grandchildren at Mikana Dam on Saturday, June 29.

The grandkids were wearing life jackets, but the sheriff’s office said one of them began struggling in the water. Their grandfather went in the water, helping his grandchildren stand and make it to shore.

But for unknown reasons, the grandfather then went under water and did not resurface, according to the sheriff.

The Mikana Dam was closed as first responders searched for the 71-year-old, the sheriff’s office said. Eventually, his body was recovered from the water.

Authorities are ruling his death a drowning. The grandfather has not been publicly identified as of July 1.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time,” the sheriff’s office said. “Special thanks to all of the first responders who jumped into action to do all they could for the family.”

Barron County is about a 100-mile drive northeast from Minneapolis.

This story was originally published July 1, 2024 at 8:24 AM with the headline "71-year-old grandfather drowns while fishing with two grandchildren, Wisconsin cops say."