UPDATED: Vehicle Submerged in Minnesota River at Bloomington; Recovery Efforts Underway
Our latest update on this story, 2:30 PM on Tuesday, June 18th: Recovery Efforts Continued on Tuesday for a Vehicle That Drove into Minnesota River; Two Vehicles Found
Update: 11:30 PM on June 16, 2024
BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA—A serious incident unfolded at the Minnesota River Bottoms - Lyndale Lot (Lyndale Avenue Boat Launch) in Bloomington on Sunday, June 16th, when several emergency services were dispatched following a report of a vehicle entering the water. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed this incident occurred around 7:55 PM.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a vehicle drive into the Minnesota River from the boat ramp. Despite their immediate attempts to rescue the lone occupant, they were unsuccessful as the current quickly swept away the vehicle and subsequently went underwater. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office has also confirmed these remarks from the witnesses. Emergency personnel were called to the scene, including the Eagan Fire Department, Burnsville Fire Department, South Metro Fire Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Bloomington Police Department, and Burnsville Police Department.
By approximately 9 PM, the Bloomington Fire Chief confirmed that emergency personnel had located the vehicle using sonar by two boats on the scene. The vehicle was found approximately 600 feet east (downstream) of the boat ramp, resting in about 25 feet of water. This location is estimated to be 100-200 feet downstream from where witnesses last told us they observed the vehicle before it submerged. It is unknown if the driver of the vehicle was still in the vehicle as a combination of strong current, poor visibility, and floating hazards in the water made the incident not safe for putting a person in the water at this time, according to the Bloomington Fire Chief. At this time, the plan was to try to bring the vehicle closer to shore and possibly attempt to pull the vehicle out with a tow truck. Still, due to high river conditions, a fast current, and being several feet from the boat ramp, it was not immediately known how they would recover the vehicle.
According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department, their office is continuing to investigate this incident. We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Our latest update on this story, 2:30 PM on Tuesday, June 18th: Recovery Efforts Continued on Tuesday for a Vehicle That Drove into Minnesota River; Two Vehicles Found
A rough location of where the vehicle was found from the boat ramp.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available and as recovery efforts progress. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the individual involved in this tragic incident.
Written by: Will Wight