COOK COUNTY MN – Cook County 911 Dispatch received a call Monday, June 12, regarding a cyclist who collapsed during his ascent up Mount Josephine in Grand Portage. Robert Hemsworth, a 61-year-old resident of Thunder Bay, was riding from Thunder Bay to Grand Marais.
A relative was following Hemsworth in a vehicle and with the assistance of Cook County Dispatch, initiated CPR at the scene before paramedics took over. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and Hemsworth was pronounced dead Monday afternoon at the Cook County North Shore Hospital.
“This is an unfortunate, tragic event and our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Hemsworth and our neighboring community over the Border,” said Chief Deputy Will Sandstrom. “We understand he was an avid cyclist and went for a bike ride, intending on cycling to Grand Marais where his wife would then pick him up.”
While Mr. Hemsworth’s death is believed to be medical related, an investigation will be completed and an autopsy is taking place in the Twin Cities.
