Man trying to retrieve dog dies in apparent drowning

A Pelican Rapids man died Saturday afternoon in an apparent drowning.

Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to South Lida Lake at around 1:15 p.m. for a water emergency.

Authorities learned that 48-year-old Eric Fife had been boating with friends when he jumped into the water to retrieve his dog. However, he soon was struggling to stay above water.

The sheriff’s office says a friend jumped into the lake and pulled Fife and his dog to the boat, where his friends then started providing him CPR. First responders took over when they arrived but Fife was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is still under investigation.