On Sept. 23, at 6:33 p.m., the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received the report of an SOS notification that had been sent from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to Global Rescue. It was learned that a man had hurt his leg with an axe, and a tourniquet and bandaging were being used to stop the bleeding.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Rescue Squad coordinated rescue and medical efforts with the assistance of Zup’s Cabins on Lac-La-Croix, Anderson Outfitters, Orr Ambulance, Crane Lake Fire Dept., and the Virginia Fire Dept.

The man, identified as Christopher Banfield from the Davenport, Iowa area, was eventually brought to the Cook Hospital, due to his injury.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens to properly prepare themselves when entering the BWCA, like Mr. Banfield did. Be prepared to administer first-aid to those in your camping party or yourself, as emergency medical resources are not readily available.