The search continued on Thursday for a teen missing after falling from a rock ledge into a swollen and swiftly moving St. Croix River at Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, Minn.
The Chisago County sheriff’s office identified the missing teen Wednesday as DAndrea Sanvig, 18, of Luck, Wis.
“Teams are actively searching for DAndrea by land, water and air,” a news release stated. “The public is asked to stay away from the water search portion of this operation.”
6:10 p.m. on Tuesday
After a long winter, it hit 81 degrees in the Twin Cities at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Many people were outside, enjoying the weather, including at Interstate State Park and its twin state park in Wisconsin. The two parks straddle the rocky St. Croix River gorge between Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls, Wis.
After apparently losing his footing, Sanvig fell just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.
“Initial information indicated an 18-year-old resident of Wisconsin was within Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls near a rock ledge overlooking the St. Croix River,” a news release from the sheriff’s office said. “The male lost his footing and fell off a cliff and ultimately landed in the waters of the St. Croix.”
An extensive rescue effort involving multiple area agencies was launched, but Sanvig remained missing at nightfall on Tuesday, and the search was paused.
‘Extremely difficult’ search conditions
On Wednesday, many departments, agencies and groups joined in the search for Sanvig, from aviation units to dive teams.
It was not easy.
After such a snowy winter, Stillwater is bracing for historic flooding. A large spring runoff is feeding the St. Croix, leading to a high flow rate throughout the area. That, combined with debris typically seen during the snowmelt, has made for dangerous search conditions on the river, the sheriff’s office said.
“We are again out on the water searching for yesterday’s rock fall victim at Interstate State Park in Taylor’s Falls,” the sheriff’s office reported in an update on social media early Wednesday. “They are experiencing extremely difficult search conditions. If you are out on the nature trails along the St. Croix between Taylor’s Falls and Osceola please call 911 if you see anything suspicious.
“We are not asking for the public’s help on the water for safety reasons.”
Drones and thermal imagery
Wednesday’s search conditions were also warm and windy: With a high of 88 degrees at 5 p.m. at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the 1931 record was broken, according to the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service. On Thursday, temperatures could soar into the 90s; a red flag warning begins at noon.
The sheriff’s office issued an update on social media on Wednesday evening, along with a photo of a churning river.
“Efforts continued today in the search for DAndrea. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time. Search crews continue to work against extremely difficult and dangerous conditions while operating in and around the St. Croix River. We will continue to use drones and thermal imagery into the night and refocus the river search in daylight hours.”
The statement also thanked the departments, agencies and groups involved in the search for DAndrea:
- Taylors Falls Fire Department
- Almelund Fire & Rescue
- Chisago City Fire Department
- Stacy-Lent Fire Department (Dive Team)
- Shafer Franconia Fire & Rescue
- Saint Croix Falls Volunteer Fire Department
- Lakes Region EMS
- US National Park Service
- Minnesota State Patrol (aviation unit)
- Northstar Search and Rescue
- Interstate State Park in Taylor’s Falls Mn Staff
- Chisago County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol
“Thank you for doing your best,” someone commented on the sheriff’s Facebook page, “for trying to find my brother.”
Navigation ‘impossible’
It was another hot and windy day on Thursday in the Twin Cities, with more record-breaking heat (87 degrees, which broke 2006’s record of 84). About 50 miles from Interstate State Park, St. Paul prepared for potential flooding from the Mississippi River by announcing closures of parks, trails and streets.
In Washington County, Stillwater officials reported on social media on Thursday that sandbagging efforts had concluded as the community awaits the crest of the St. Croix River.
Nearby, in and around Chisago County, the rising St. Croix became a barrier to the search on Thursday, as a video posted on the Chisago County Sheriff’s office shows.
“Efforts continued today in the search for DAndrea,” the Taylors Falls Fire Department reported in an update on the sheriff’s Facebook page on Thursday evening. “Unfortunately, we are unable to utilize boats at this time. The St. Croix River is expected to crest within the next week. We will monitor the situation daily and adjust accordingly. The water flow rate and amount of debris have made navigation up the river impossible to do safely with search equipment.
“We were joined by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office — MN Water Patrol division this afternoon and are extremely grateful for their assistance. We will continue to utilize ground and air search methods as appropriate and will reassess the water situation as soon as it is safe to do so. Our continued thoughts and prayers remain with DAndrea’s family and friends.”
On the sheriff’s Facebook post, many commenters shared these thoughts and prayers.
“Just praying and praying, for all involved,” someone wrote. “This is just so heartbreaking.”
Pioneer Press staff contributed to this report.
