Man dies in apparent drowning in southern Minnesota

His body was recovered from about 8 1⁄2 feet of water in Fountain Lake in Albert Lea.

July 14, 2023 at 12:56PM

A 66-year-old man has died in an apparent drowning in a southern Minnesota lake, officials said.

A rescue attempt began late Thursday morning on Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, where the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office were alerted to someone in distress near the Edgewater boat landing.

A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officer was already on the lake and quickly arrived in his boat to the search area about 20 feet east of the dock, the Sheriff's Office said.

The officer was joined by city police and fire department divers, and a Sheriff's Office boat.

About one hour into their search, the man's body was found in about 8½ feet of water, the Sheriff's Office said.

He was identified as Matthew Jay Anderson of Albert Lea. Officials did not say why he was in the water or what led to his drowning.

A Fire Department member was injured when he was stuck with a hook while the lake was being dragged, the Sheriff's Office said.

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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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