UPDATE 07/14/24:

Wright County authorities found Cody Jay Pope, 41, in the river near the Oliver Kelley Farm.

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Officials in Sherburne County are searching for a person who went underwater on Friday.

At 11:43 a.m., the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office responded to several people struggling in the water at Rivers Edge Commons in Elk River on the Mississippi River.

Authorities say that one man and two children were swimming on a sandbar in the river when the two children began struggling in the current. The man grabbed one of the girls and was able to get her to the sandbar.

The man was supporting the second child in the water for a short time and pushed them to shore before he disappeared under the water. Elk River firefighters and police were able to rescue the second child from the water.

The children confirmed to officials that their dad was missing.

There is still an ongoing search for the man, according to the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office.

As the search continues and the hot temperatures move in, a warning was shared by a neighboring agency. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office shared a public service announcement about the dangers of the water and the importance of safety. 

With the forecast for this upcoming weekend to be hot and humid, we expect many people to engage in water-related activities, such as visiting a local beach or county park, swimming, or boating.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to be safe while doing these activities by wearing a life jacket as needed, using caution when boating, watching out for each other at beaches or while swimming, and to limit alcohol intake while making sure you stay hydrated to avoid heat related injuries. Also, be cognizant of the high-water levels and strong currents on both the Sauk River and the Mississippi River if you plan on taking a trip down either.

Enjoy the weekend and the rest of the summer by staying safe and staying aware.

Stearns County Sheriff’s Office

Karen Wingard lives on the Mississippi River, upstream from where the search is happening. On Friday, she and her family spent the day kayaking. 

“They all have the life jackets,” Wingard said about her kids. 

She said their usual trip takes two hours, but due to the high water creating faster than normal water, they did it in an hour and a half. Wingard says that those choosing to spend time on the river should be cautious of the currents. 

“It changes day to day, [or] even like morning to evening it can be different. So yes, you do have to be aware and be prepared for it to change. Even if you were just out the day before,” Wingard said. 

In the first week of July, 27-year-old Jeremy Paulson drowned in the St. Croix River while swimming — investigators there say crews pulled him from 18 feet of water. 

Just this week in Stearns County, 17-year-old Emmanuel Seward of Brooklyn Center died of an apparent drowning at the Quarry Park and Nature Reserve, according to investigators. 

This is a developing story. Check back with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS for updates.