Woman, 63, Dies After Canoe Flips On Root River

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Authorities in southern Minnesota say a 63-year-old woman died Saturday after the canoe she was in capsized on the Root River.

Wendy Beth Anderson, of Minneapolis, had been canoeing with her husband when their boat hit a log in the river and overturned, the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office said.

Anderson's husband was able to swim her to shore, just east of Whalan, where a passing bicyclist on a riverside trail called for help.

First responders found Anderson unresponsive, performed CPR and later pronounced her dead at the scene.

Fillmore County officials say this is the third emergency to happen on the river in the last few two weeks. Earlier in June, a 17-year-old girl tubing near Lanesboro was stranded on the river, resulting in a difficult rescue.

"The Root River has been high and running more swift, which causes difficult conditions for novice or inexperienced users, let alone experienced users," Sheriff Tom Kaase said in a statement. "This high, swift water has also produced more debris and obstacles in the water, which can move at any time, and which can produce tragic, deadly outcomes."