safety
16-year-old boy in critical condition after going under the water at Minnehaha Falls
By Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 4, 2026
· 1 min read
A 16-year-old boy is in critical condition after they reportedly went missing while swimming near the base of Minnehaha Falls.
According to Minneapolis Park Police, a 911 call was made to Minnehaha Falls around 5:13 p.m. when the teenager went missing while swimming near the base of the falls....
Key takeaway According to Minneapolis Park Police, a 911 call was made to Minnehaha Falls around 5:13 p.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The incident at Minnehaha Falls raises concerns about water safety in Minneapolis, particularly during hot summer months when unauthorized swimming areas can become tempting spots to cool off. As the city's residents and visitors seek relief from the heat, the risk of accidents increases, especially in areas not designed or equipped for swimming. The fact that Minnehaha Falls is not an authorized swimming area, yet still attracted swimmers on a hot Fourth of July, suggests a need for increased awareness and enforcement of water safety regulations. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office investigation will likely examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, but the city may also need to consider additional measures to prevent similar accidents in the future, such as improved signage, enhanced patrols, or alternative designated swimming areas. The community will be watching closely to see how the city responds to this incident and works to prevent future tragedies.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A 16-year-old boy is in critical condition after they reportedly went missing while swimming near the base of Minnehaha Falls.
According to Minneapolis Park Police, a 911 call was made to Minnehaha Falls around 5:13 p.m. when the teenager went missing while swimming near the base of the falls....
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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