Crews have recovered the body of a North Branch man, who went overboard a pontoon boat on Big Sandy Lake late Friday night.

In a news release, the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office says they received a report of a man going overboard on Big Sandy Lake near Hillcrest Resort around 11:40 Friday night.

McGregor Fire Department and Aitkin County deputies responded with boats.

On scene, deputies made contact with a group of men on the pontoon boat where they learned their friend, Nathen Norman Waldo, 34, of North Branch, had fallen off the front of the pontoon boat as the boat was moving forward.  

Witnesses said that Waldo was swept underneath the boat as it continued forward and believed that Waldo was struck by the motor.

After "extensive" efforts to search the water, deputies and fire department responders also searched the shoreline, but were unsuccessful in finding Waldo.

After St. Louis County Search & Rescue joined the search, Waldo's body was recovered in approximately 30 feet of water late Saturday afternoon.  

The driver of the boat, a 34-year-old man from Maplewood, was arrested on possible charges of Boating While Intoxicated.

The Aitkin County Attorney's Office will review the case to determine whether there is probable cause to charge the man with Criminal Vehicular Operation.

The man remains in the Aitkin County Jail pending his first court appearance.

To see the original report and read related stories, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website. https://www.wdio.com/news/crews-recovery-body-nathen-waldo-overboard-big-sandy-lake/6139135/?cat=103...