Body recovered from Vermillion River in Dakota County

A late-night swim turned deadly for a man whose body was pulled early Tuesday from the Vermillion River.

Maung Ngae, 30, of St. Paul, drowned Monday night, according to the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office was informed just before 9 p.m. Monday of a probable drowning in the Vermillion near the Etter Bridge, located on County Road 68 in Ravenna Township.

A witness told authorities that a man was trying to swim across the fast-moving river but was swept downstream. The swimmer struggled in the water and eventually went under, and the witness lost sight of him.

Crews searched for the man for several hours, until a dive team using sonar found his body around 2 a.m. Authorities from several other agencies participated in the search and recovery.

Ravenna Township is in far southeastern Dakota County, southeast of Hastings.

Staff writer Erin Adler contributed to this report.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768