Four people were rescued during a night-time search Wednesday on Lower Red Lake in northern Minnesota. According to a press release from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the incident began at at 2:00AM Wednesday, when the North Dakota Air Branch was called to assist the Red Lake Police Department with a search and rescue mission of a vessel in distress that was carrying four individuals.

Two agents assigned to the North Dakota Air Branch immediately responded by launching an OAM AS350 helicopter. Upon arriving on scene the crew searched the Red Lake area using night vision goggles and a forward looking infrared system. At 3:30AM, the OAM crew located and guided the rescue personnel to the location of the distressed vessel on lower Red Lake.

“This case is a testament to how well we work with our fellow law enforcement partners when lives are at risk,” said Greg Abner, Director of Air Operations, North Dakota Air Branch. “I am just glad we were able to respond so quickly and assist in saving the lives of four people, today.”

All occupants in the vessel, two adults and two children, were located alive and in stable condition.

By — Lakeland PBS

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