REGIONAL — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Rescue Squad spent Friday and Saturday assisting Canadian authorities in the search for a missing Lac La Croix man on the remote border lake.
Ontario Provincial Police contacted county officials on Nov. 20 requesting help in locating 47-year-old Peter Buckle, a community member from the village of Lac La Croix. Buckle had been staying at his cabin on the Canadian side of the lake, but when he failed to return home, local authorities and community volunteers launched a search.
Canadian crews located his boat and a small campsite on Island 25, just over the border in U.S. waters, after first checking his cabin. There was no sign of Buckle.
County rescue personnel, along with emergency management staff, were sent to Lac La Croix on Nov. 22 and 23 to assist. Searchers used fixed wing aircraft from the Minnesota State Patrol, county drones, boats, and ground teams to sweep the shoreline and nearby islands. They worked alongside Ontario Provincial Police, Treaty Three Police, and community members throughout both days.
Despite extensive searches, Buckle was not found. Sheriff’s officials said they remain in close contact with Canadian authorities and will provide additional help if requested.
Agencies assisting included the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, St. Louis County Emergency Management, Ontario Provincial Police, Treaty Three Police, the Lac La Croix community, and the Minnesota State Patrol.