Two severely injured when motor flipped into boat on Rainy Lake

The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office says two people were injured when their running motor landed in their boat near Franzen Island on Rainy Lake. Authorities received a call about a boating accident on Thursday approximately 9:19 p.m.

According to authorities, the caller reported that he and another party were severely injured.

Another group towed the injured party and their boat to a residence on County Road 134. According to the report, International Falls Police arrived at the residence and began life saving measures on both victims. They applied tourniquets to both victims, who were then taken to Rainy Lake Medical Center. The victims were later moved by air ambulance to another location for additional trauma care.

Law enforcement officials investigated the incident and determined the boat had struck a rock causing the running motor to land in the boat between the operator and the other individual. Police say the propeller caused significant injuries to the passenger’s right leg and to the operator’s left arm and leg.

According to the the Koochiching County Sheriff’s office, the victims were identified as 32-year-old, Joshua Urban and 34-year-old, Nicholas Hagen. Both are from International Falls. Authorities say that alcohol may have been a factor in the incident.

The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office, International Falls Police Department, International Falls Ambulance Service, and the Minnesota State Patrol all responded to the call.