PEMBINA, N.D. — The Pembina County Sheriff’s Department said a man’s apparent attempt to cross the border into Canada turned deadly.

A farmer plowing a field west of Pembina, N.D., found a body in a drainage ditch on Thursday. The body was found about 18 metres from the border and had decomposed.

The sheriff’s department believes the body had been there for months. The death appears to be accidental.

Investigators found identifying paperwork in a nearby backpack and are working to confirm the identify of the man, who police said was unrecognizable.

The department said the paperwork suggests the man was in his 30s, was from Ghana. He had been travelling across the U.S. and was likely heading into Canada, the department said.

In a statement to the Free Press, Manitoba RCMP said they are aware of the human remains and U.S. officials are leading the investigation.

“At this time, we are not involved in the investigation, but we are prepared to assist if needed,” RCMP said.

— WDAY/Free Press staff