Group Rescued On Cannon River After Inner Tubes Popped

RICE COUNTY, MN — A group had to be rescued from the Cannon River after their inner tubes popped. Just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, authorities from Rice County and Northfield were dispatched to a report of stranded people on the river south of Dundas.

A group of people entered the river near Wilderness Park with the intention of riding inner tubes down the river. They entered an area that was almost completely covered by downed trees and two of the tubes deflated when they floated into the trees, according to a news release.

Nobody in the group was wearing life jackets, according to investigators. At least one firefighter was treated at the scene for injuries he suffered during the search.

"I have been asked numerous times if people can use the river for recreational purposes," Sheriff Troy Dunn said in a statement.

"My answer has been consistent. I don’t recommend people using river for tubing due to numerous trees down in the river. I caution people with canoes and kayaks as well to think twice about using the river at this time due to the high water and treacherous conditions due to trees blocking the river. People are not only putting their own lives at risk but the lives of our first responders. Some of these areas are not able to navigate easily and it’s not worth risking your life. These people are very lucky to have survived this incident."