17-year-old drowns after jumping from rock cliff near St. Cloud

It’s the third drowning at Quarry Park in recent years.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
July 10, 2024 at 9:42PM
Quarry Park & Nature Preserve in Waite Park, Minn. (Waite Park, Minn.)

ST. CLOUD — A 17-year-old boy drowned Tuesday after jumping from a rock cliff at a popular swimming spot in Waite Park.

According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, authorities received a 911 call just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday about a possible drowning at Quarry Park & Nature Preserve. Witnesses told responders the boy had jumped off a 10-foot cliff and never resurfaced.

Members of the Stearns/Benton dive team, along with fire departments from Waite Park and St. Cloud, deployed boats and searched the quarry. The boy was found in 31 feet of water at about 8:45 p.m.

Authorities did not name the boy or list a city of residence.

Two other young men also drowned at the county park in recent years. Last August, 23-year-old Ahmed Jarso of St. Cloud died after being pulled from about 40 feet of water at the park. Three years ago, 18-year-old Zakariya Odowa of St. Cloud drowned after jumping off a floating dock.

There are no lifeguards at the park’s swimming areas.

about the writer

Jenny Berg

St. Cloud Reporter

Jenny Berg covers St. Cloud for the Star Tribune. Sign up to receive the new St. Cloud Today newsletter.

See More