A 26-year-old father has died after jumping into a Fridley lake Sunday afternoon to help his children.
Leland Michael Morris, of Fridley, was unresponsive when a dive team found him in Moore Lake. Morris was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center where he died overnight, said Tierney Peters, a spokesperson with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
Fridley police were called to the lake on the 5800 block of NE. Central Avenue about 5:13 p.m. on a report of a drowning. Officers learned that a father had gone into the water to help his two children, who were on flotation devices and struggling to get back to shore. As Morris swam to them, he went under the water and did not resurface, Peters said.
Police and fire rescue personnel were unable to find Morris. A dive team responded to the scene, found him and pulled him out of the water, Peters said.
The children's mother and other bystanders were able to bring the children to shore. The children were not injured, Peters said.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
