Woman, 70, drowns as pontoon drifted away while she swam with husband

A 70-year-old woman drowned while swimming with her husband on a Clearwater County lake Saturday afternoon.

The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office was called to the emergency on Long Lost Lake at 4:16 p.m., learning that Cherly Breitbach, of Ponsford, had been on a pontoon with her husband when they decided to go for a swim.

Their pontoon drifted away when they did, causing them to chase it. When Breitbach's husband turned around, he saw her face-down in the water and called for help.

Nearby residents took their boat out to rescue them, and CPR had already begun before officers arrived.

Bagley Sanford Ambulance and Sanford Air Med arrived at the scene, and despite life-saving efforts, Breitbach was pronounced dead.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.