Man dies in apparent drowning after trying to help dog in rural Aitkin lake

AITKIN — A 47-year-old man who appeared to be attempting to help a dog in the water died in an apparent drowning Sunday, June 7, in a rural Aitkin County lake.

The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at 12:33 p.m. from a neighbor on Gun Lake, who heard calls for help and saw a person struggling in the water. Other neighbors were summoned to help and found an unoccupied boat.

After about 15 minutes of searching from a personal watercraft, they found the man later identified as Randy Benson of Isanti slightly submerged in the water.

Benson was brought to shore, where CPR was immediately started and continued until emergency medical services and law enforcement arrived. Despite those efforts, Benson could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the sheriff's office, Benson was staying at a cabin on Gun Lake at the time of the incident. The dog survived.

The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Palisade Fire Department, McGregor Fire Department, first responders and North Memorial Health Ambulance.

"The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office extends its appreciation to the neighbors who displayed extraordinary courage in this tragedy, and also extends condolences to the family and friends of Randy Benson," a news release stated.