2 I’Falls men seriously hurt by boat motor in Rainy Lake accident

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN -- Two men were taken to the hospital with serious injuries after authorities say their boat hit a rock on Rainy Lake.

According to the Koochiching County Emergency Operations Center, the crash happened around 9:20 p.m. Thursday near Franzen Island.

Authorities say they believe the force from the boat striking the rock caused the motor to land in the boat between the two men on board.

The motor was still running at that time and the propellor caused serious injuries to the passenger’s right leg and significant injuries to the driver’s left arm and left leg.

After the crash, another boater nearby towed the boat with the victims to land where first responders began treating the victims.

Authorities identified the victims as Joshua Urban, 32, and Nicholas Hagen, 34, both of International Falls.

They were taken to the hospital, but their status is unknown as of Friday morning.

Authorities are still investigating the crash.

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