BECKER COUNTY, Minn. — Inclement weather challenged emergency crews Wednesday evening, March 13, as they rescued a 26-year-old man after a snowmobile crash on Cotton Lake.
The snowmobile rider, Nicholas Hanson, of Rochert, Minn., reported the crash about 5:40 p.m. Wednesday. He was on the lake alone and told authorities that be believed he broke his leg, according to a report from the Becker County Sheriff's Office.
Hanson was about 300 yards from shore, but "ongoing rainfall was making rescue extremely difficult," the report said.
Emergency workers tried to reach Hanson using a snowmobile equipped with a rescue sled and an ATV. After both the snowmobile and ATV got stuck on the lake in a mix of snow and slush, the Detroit Lakes Fire Department showed up with an air boat.
Using the air boat, rescuers managed to reach Hanson. He was taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, and the extent of his injuries was unknown.
