47-year-old Randy Benson was declared dead Sunday after his body was pulled from an area lake.

About 15 miles north of Aitkin, to reports of a person struggling in the water around 12:30 p.m. The sheriff's office said the man, later identified as 47-year-old Randy Benson, reportedly attempted to assist a dog when he went under.

After 15 minutes of searching, Benson was found slightly submerged. He was subsequently taken to shore, where neighbors performed life-saving efforts until EMS arrived, but Benson was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.