Incident Type: 
Lake Rescue
Dispatch: 
Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 3:47pm
Address: 
Lake Monona
Madison, WI
Narrative: 

As strong storms swept through the area Thursday, a number of people enjoying an afternoon on the lake were taken by surprise.

Starting at about 3:45 p.m., and over the course of the next 20 minutes, the Madison Fire Department was dispatched to several calls involving people stranded in the water.

Engine Company 3, along with the MFD Lake Rescue Team, was dispatched to 921 Castle Place for an overturned kayak on Lake Mendota. The high winds and rough waters pushed the kayaker to shore, and he was able to help himself out of the water moments before Engine Co. 3 arrived.

Meanwhile, the Lake Rescue Team was diverted to Lake Monona, where two individuals— one on a kayak and another on a paddle board— were stranded about 100 feet out from Monona Terrace and Law Park. The Lake Rescue Team retrieved both individuals and their equipment from the water and brought them to shore. They were not injured and did not require EMS.

At 3:58 p.m., Medic 5 and Engine Company 8 were sent to the boat launch at Olbrich Park, where a witness reported more kayakers in distress. The 911 caller indicated the kayakers may have made it out of the water prior to MFD’s arrival. From shore, Medic 5 and Engine 8 did not see any boaters in distress. Lake Rescue 1 surveyed the area by boat, finding nobody in need of help.

Photos submitted to MFD

Posted 06/28/2019 - 5:47am
Contacts: 

Cynthia Schuster (Public Information Officer)