Fort Ripley Woman Rescued After Falling Through the Ice

(KNSI) — Some scary moments for a woman out snowshoeing on the Mississippi River Friday morning after she fell through the ice.

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office says the 911 call came in about 9:15 after 58-year-old Catherine Stoch of Fort Ripley fell through the ice about nine miles north of Little Falls. She said she went through the ice and was up to her knees before getting back on the ice and making her way to an island where she called for help.

Morrison County deputies and officers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources were able to rescue Stoch and get her back to shore, where she was treated by medical personnel.

According to a press release, Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen credits Stoch for providing detailed information about her location to the dispatchers. In a press release, Larsen says, “Stoch recognized the fact that she needed to stay focused and remain calm until she could be rescued. She was prepared and had her cellphone with, which helped with the coordinated rescue effort.”

Larsen states that he is “proud of the coordinated effort amongst the agencies involved. Because of the swift actions taken by Stoch, 911 dispatchers and rescue personnel, this incident had a successful ending.”

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Minnesota DNR and Mayo Clinic Ambulance at the scene.

___