18-year-old who fell into St. Croix not yet found, searches ongoing
UPDATE 04/12/23 at 9 p.m.:
Chisago County Sheriff’s Office said that as of Wednesday night, Sanvig has not been found.
Crews will continue searching with drones and thermal imagery into the night and refocus the search of the river Thursday morning, authorities said.
The Sheriff’s Office said the river conditions were both difficult and dangerous.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with [Sanvig’s] family and friends during this time.”
UPDATE 4/12/2023: Emergency crews have resumed their search efforts for an 18-year-old man who fell into the St. Croix River Tuesday night.
Authorities say the man, identified as DAndrea Sanvig, of Luck, Wis., fell within Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, just northeast of the Twin Cities metro.
Tuesday’s search began around 6:10 p.m. after multiple calls were made reporting the fall, but it was called off around 9:30 p.m.
Initial information shows the man lost his footing near a ledge overlooking the river, however, it isn’t clear where he fell in the park.
The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public not to search on or near the water because the flow rate – along with a lot of debris in the water – has made for some dangerous conditions.
Interstate Park has a history of dangerous incidents – in 2021, a 39-year-old Hanover, Minn. man was killed when authorities believe he was hiking on a rocky, off-trail part of the park. Also, that year a 23-year-old Minneapolis man died, and another person was injured, during a rock-climbing accident.
There is an alert on the DNR’s website Wednesday morning that warns visitors of ice covering portions of the trail.
Check back for updates.
INITIAL REPORT 4/11/2023: Several emergency crews were searching the St. Croix River for a teen who fell from a cliff Tuesday evening near Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls.
According to the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office, an 18-year-old male from Wisconsin lost his footing on a ledge overlooking the river and fell into the water.
A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS camera at the scene captured a large number of rescue crews, including boats and dive teams, at the scene.
The search was called off around 9:30 p.m. The sheriff’s office said search efforts will resume Wednesday morning.
Officials are warning the public to stay clear of the water near the state park due to the strong current.
“The flow rate of the river, along with debris typically seen in the spring, has made for dangerous search conditions,” the sheriff’s office said.