Divers Search for Missing Swimmer
Madison, WI
The Madison Fire Department Lake Rescue Team was called to Lake Mendota between Picnic Point and the Memorial Union this evening to search for a missing swimmer. The call for assistance was received at 5:58 p.m. and rescue divers were in the water within minutes of launching the rescue boat.
Prior to the call for help, a group of people were swimming in the lake and noticed that one person was missing. They were initially assisted by nearby boats and emergency boats from the UW Lifesaving Station and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire department rescue divers conducted several underwater searches of the area where the man was last seen. The Madison Fire Department Lake Rescue Team was released from the scene at 7:10 p.m. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office will continue the search tonight as conditions permit. Additional updates can be obtained from the Dane County Sheriff’s Officer in Charge (OIC).
The Madison Fire Department Lake Rescue Team has 51 trained scuba divers, certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. On-duty divers respond year-round to surface, underwater, and ice rescues and recoveries, vehicle recoveries, and assistance calls from the City of Madison Police Department and Dane County Sheriff’s Office.