Teen dies in water accident in Beltrami County

A teenager from the Fargo/Moorhead area died while swimming in a lake in Beltrami County this weekend. According to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, a 911 call came in Sunday at 5:02 p.m. on a report of a missing 13-year-old girl.

Officials say the girl had been swimming off a pontoon in Lake Julia in Durand Township, approximately 10 miles north of Bemidji when she went under the water. Friends tried to locate the teen, but were unsuccessful. They told deputies that the girl had removed her personal floatation device while standing on the ladder.

Other boaters assisted deputies until additional law enforcement and fire resources arrived equipped with under water detection equipment. The Lakes Area Dive Team was also requested and responded to the scene.

The girl was located in 23 feet of water at 7:52 p.m. She was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Authorities say the girl was visiting friends in the area.

No further information or the identity of the victim will be released.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, Minnesota State Patrol, Bemidji Fire Department, Bemidji Ambulance Service, the Lakes Area Dive Team and several bystanders.