4-wheeler falls through lake ice west of Duluth; man, 82, killed and son injured

April 26, 2018 at 9:29PM
Prairie Lake
Prairie Lake (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A four-wheel utility vehicle broke through the ice on a northern Minnesota lake, sending an 82-year-old rider to his death and injuring his 61-year-old son, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. Monday on Prairie Lake in Fine Lakes Township, roughly 40 miles west of Duluth, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.

Wallace Schulke of nearby Wright was declared dead at the scene. The other rider, Mark Schulke of Duluth, was treated for minor injuries, the Sheriff's Office added.

"The cause of the accident is the result of unsafe ice conditions on Prairie Lake," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement, adding that it "would like to remind the public of the unsafe ice conditions, due to recent warm temperatures."

Mark Schulke's wife posted on Facebook late Monday that "my father-in-law died today while he & my husband were on their way to go ice fishing on Prairie Lake. Their 4-wheeler went through the ice. My husband did survive. ... Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers."

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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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