Man did not resurface after jumping off pontoon

By Robert Williams

Editor

A 20-year-old Fergus Falls man drowned in Big Detroit Lake on June 8 after jumping into the water from a pontoon, according to a Becker County Sheriff’s news release.

Becker County Emergency Dispatch received a call at 5:39 p.m., reporting of a man who had jumped off a pontoon and into the water had not resurfaced. 

Five minutes later, sheriff’s deputies and Detroit Lakes Police Department officers were on the water responding to the location of the drowning south of the Holiday Inn.

An extensive search ensued with several different agencies and private citizens assisting.

At approximately 8:48 p.m., the body of Jette Kriston Frandson, 20, of Fergus Falls, was located in about 29 feet of water and recovered. 

Frandson was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the release, the occupants of the pontoon were together on the pontoon when Frandson, jumped into the lake. The wind began to push the pontoon away from Frandson, who had begun to struggle. All three stated they jumped into the water at separate times to rescue Frandson but their attempts were unsuccessful. 

Frandson was not wearing a life preserver, according to the report.

The incident is still under investigation.

Agencies assisting in the search were the: Detroit Lakes Police Department, Detroit Lakes Fire Department, Becker County Dive Rescue, Valley Water Rescue, Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota DNR Conservation, Essentia St. Mary’s EMS, TS Dock and Lift and personnel from the Holiday Inn.