Authorities reported Monday that it appears a 22-year-old University of Minnesota Duluth student found dead in Chester Creek over the weekend slipped and fell from a trail while walking home early Saturday morning.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office reported that it appears that Kyle Noble, 22, of Baudette, Minn., accidently fell into the deep and rocky Chester Creek ravine near East Eighth Street in Duluth.
Noble was last seen by a relative at about 2 a.m. Saturday, authorities said, and apparently was walking home along the trail in the dark. His body was found in the creek at about 1:15 p.m. Saturday.
"While walking the trails along Chester Creek, it appears (Noble) slipped on the trail, causing him to fall approximately 75 feet into Chester Creek," Sgt. Claire Olson of the Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Authorities are "awaiting the medical examiner’s report, although there does not appear to be any foul play."
Noble suffered head injuries and alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, the Sheriff's Office reported.
ADVERTISEMENT
Noble was a senior at UMD studying mechanical engineering.
There are no barriers on the popular walking trails that students use to get from the UMD area down to Fourth Street.
UMD released a statement Sunday offering its condolences on Noble's death.
The school was making preparations to provide students and staff with "resources to help with the grieving process."
