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Boating Safety

Minnesota Man Dies Attempting to Rescue Dog

dog lifejacket, canine lifejacket

The dog the man was trying to save was not wearing a canine lifejacket.

A man jumped from a pontoon boat into a western Minnesota lake and died after trying to rescue his dog, authorities said Monday. The death, described as a suspected drowning, occurred about 1:15 p.m. on June 18th on South Lake Lida, located about 7 miles east of Pelican Rapids, the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office said.

The man who died was identified as Eric Fife, 48, who lived near the lake. The Sheriff's Office said the dog survived. Fife entered the water with a seat cushion designed to be used as a flotation device, while the dog did not have a life jacket for canines, said Sheriff's Lt. Greg Seim.

According to the Sheriff's Office: Fife and friends were boating on the lake when the dog jumped in the water. Fife went into the water after his pet. "Moments later, it became apparent to his companions that Mr. Fife was in distress and struggling to stay above water," a Sheriff's Office statement read.

Lake Lida, south Lake Lida

The victim lived near Lake Lida, a popular recreational boating spot in western Minnesota.

One of the friends entered the lake and pulled Fife and the dog back into the boat, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation was begun. Upon the boat's arrival at a lake access point, emergency responders took over lifesaving efforts, but Fife died at the scene.