Posted: 7/1/02

New Brighton man drowns in Forest Lake

Branden Peterson
Staff Writer

Hundreds of sun-thirsty area residents on jet skis, pontoons, and fishing boats got a visual reminder Friday, June 28, of how quickly a summer afternoon of enjoyment on water can turn tragic.

At approximately 4:10 p.m., 911 dispatchers received a emergency call from boaters of a possible drowning on Forest Lake. Their fear would soon be confirmed.

At the time of the incident, the victim Brian Koch, 43, New Brighton and a friend were reportedly drifting in the lake, when Koch decided to swim. Diving overboard became a deadly decision.

Still in the boat, Kochís friend attempted to use his cell phone, only to notice it was unusable because of a low battery. He then tried flagging down two nearby boaters of the situation, and the 911 call was made.

Emergency rescue crews from Forest Lake, Scandia, and other local agencies raced to the lake access at Lakeside Memorial Park near the Forest Lake beachís gazebo.

A helicopter and several recovery boats scanned a mile wide area of the lake for the man.

Finally at approximately 8 p.m., Kochís body was recovered in water 18 feet deep. The body was located a quarter-of-a-mile from the incidentís location.

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