Brother of Rep. Walz killed in severe weather near BWCA

COOK COUNTY, Minn. (KMSP) - The brother of Minnesota Rep. Tim Walz was struck by a tree and killed in severe weather near the northeastern tip of the state on Sunday night in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Two other people suffered injuries in the area minutes apart.

The Cook County sheriff’s office said a tree fell on a man on Clove Lake at about 10:24 p.m., injuring his upper body. A helicopter was called in, but diverted to a second call within the minute. A second helicopter was requested, but rescuers were able to reach him and brought him to the Cook County Northshore Hospital via Gunflint Ambulance. He has not been identified.

A second emergency call came in at 10:25 p.m. reporting one dead and one severely injured on Duncan Lake. Two adults and two juveniles were at a campsite when high winds downed a tree, killing Craig Anthony Walz, 43, the brother of Rep. Walz, and striking Craig's son, Jacob. Crews were unable to recover his body Sunday night with the weather posing a threat to search crews, but his body was recovered early Monday.

CaringBridge for Jacob Walz

Statement from DFL Chairman Ken Martin

“The DFL was saddened to learn that Rep. Tim Walz’s brother, Craig Walz, was killed during the storms this weekend in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) while on a trip with his son. Craig, a beloved math and science teacher at St. Charles High School in Southern Minnesota, is remembered by his family, students, and community as an amazing husband and father, and outstanding teacher, a passionate mentor and loving friend. Craig’s son Jacob was injured in the same incident. We join with his family and friends and hope for a quick recovery. The thoughts and prayers of all of us at the Minnesota DFL are with Craig’s wife Julie, his daughter Avery, and all of Rep. Walz’s family as they go through this unthinkable tragedy.”

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