Emergency services rescue impaired man in sub-zero conditions on northern lake

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office reported an unnamed adult male received life-threatening cold-weather injuries near Ten Lakes Township Thursday night.

Authorities said they were called to the scene after the man consumed illicit drugs and over-the-counter medication. When an ambulance arrived he fled into a wooded area.

The man was not properly dressed for temperatures reported to be around 10 degrees below zero.

An hour later deputies located him a half mile from shore on Big Lake. They said he appeared impaired and was attempting to harm himself. He was taken into custody after deputies used a Taser to disarm him.

Due to unknown ice conditions deputies used a backboard to transport the man to shore where emergency personnel were waiting. He was taken to a hospital in Bemidji before being transferred to one in Fargo in critical condition. The case is under investigation.