Authorities northwest of the Twin Cities have released what led to the death of DNR conservation officer Eugene Wynn.
According to the Pine County Sheriff's Office investigation, Wynn and Sgt. Scott Grice were thrown into Cross Lake when Wynn made an abrupt left turn while pulling the boat away from the shore and the boat corrected.
It's unclear if debris led Wynn to make the maneuver, but a news release points out that "no parties report hearing an impact while the boat was on the water."
Neither was wearing a life vest, but there were two on board. Adults are not required by Minnesota law to wear life vests.
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Rescuers could not reach Wynn April 19 when the two originally responded to a report of a possible body in the water. He was laid to rest April 26.
A U.S. Coast Guard examination of the DNR-owned boat did not show any malfunctions that would have contributed to the accident. The water temperature at that time was in the low 40s and nearby residents reported seeing ice.
"We strongly recommend that all people that are enjoying the natural resources in Pine County use all safety devices that are appropriate," the department said in a news release. "That would include life jackets, helmets, seatbelts, and tree stand safety harnesses. Accidents happen very quickly, even to the very well trained and experienced. The safety devices only work if people put them to use before an accident happens. In this case the officers were thrown from the boat within a minute of being on the water and were not able to continue swimming within minutes. ATV crashes and tree stand falls happen as quickly with similar unfortunate outcomes."
Wynn was the 22nd conservation officer to die in Minnesota
