26-year-old man drowns when wave knocks him off inflatable, Minnesota police say

A 26-year-old man drowned in a Minnesota lake after he and another man were knocked off an inflatable, authorities say.

The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office said the victim and a 19-year-old man were on an inflatable together July 13, but they were “outside the designated swimming area” of Lake Marion at Antlers Park in Lakeville.

The men did not know how to swim, according to the sheriff’s office, and a wave from a boat caused them to “fall into the water.”

A bystander rescued the 19-year-old, but the 26-year-old victim went under water, the sheriff’s office said.

A diving team found the victim’s body more than two hours later about 40 yards offshore in 8 feet of water, authorities said. He was identified as Reynaldo Antonio Patishtan Hernandez, of Northfield.

“We thank and commend the bystander for his heroic, lifesaving efforts of the 19-year-old and extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Patishtan Hernandez,” the sheriff said.

Antlers Park features a “large swimming beach,” but there are no lifeguards on duty.

Lakeville is about a 25-mile drive south from Minneapolis.

This story was originally published July 17, 2024 at 8:38 AM with the headline "26-year-old man drowns when wave knocks him off inflatable, Minnesota police say."