CRANE LAKE – A 27-year-old man died while hiking in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Monday night due to a medical emergency, according to the St. Louis County Rescue Squad’s First Lieutenant, Kurt Erickson.

Luke Leonard Larson, of Duluth, had been hiking and camping with two friends for several days on the Sioux-Hustler Trail along the Little Indian Sioux River, about nine miles southeast of Crane Lake. The three hikers were on their way out, when Larson fell ill, about a half mile from the Devil’s Cascade. One friend stayed with Larson, while the other hiked the seven miles to the Echo Trail and drove toward Ely until he was able to get cell phone service and make an emergency call at around 6 p.m.

The SLCRS and Crane Lake First Responders and Fire Department weren’t able to reach Larson and his friend until 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Erickson said.

“Due to the snow and the rain, we weren’t sure if it was better to go in by water or send hikers in,” he said. “Because of the mechanical equipment and assistance, we made the decision to go in by boat through Loon Lake, but they found the Loon River was very low, making it hard to navigate. That delayed the response. Because of this, we also put hikers in,” stated Erickson.

Erickson said the boaters were able to reach Larson first, but arrived too late, as he had already died.

“It looks like a medical emergency occurred,” Erickson said. “But at this point, we don’t know what that is, pending the medical examiner’s final determination.”

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and medical examiner are currently investigating the cause of death, but a Sheriff’s Office statement indicates that Larson’s death does not appear to be suspicious.

The U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Fall Lake Fire Department and Orr First Responders also assisted in the rescue.

“It was great cooperation, navigating in the dark in the blowing snow and walking on the rocks in icy conditions,” Erickson said.

All rescuers, along with the Larson’s body and friend who stayed with him, made it out of the woods by 8 a.m.