Fire Department

The MFD Lake Rescue Team was dispatched to Lake Mendota, in the area of the Lake Street boat launch, when a 911 caller reported three friends missing after taking a raft onto the lake. The 911 call was placed at 4:10 a.m., reportedly 90 minutes after the trio set out on the raft.

The Lake Rescue Team launched their boat at Lake Street and motored eastward. With the use of an infrared imaging device, they spotted an object about 500 yards from shore. The team motored toward the object and found the three friends alive and well floating atop the raft.

The trio explained to rescuers they drifted farther than expected and apologized for not having a phone with them. The Lake Rescue Team towed them back to shore, and all three went on their way uninjured.