Crime & Safety

Stranded Paddleboarders Rescued From Lake Michigan: Report

Paddleboarders became stranded on Lake Michigan near Whitefish Bay Sunday night, prompting an emergency rescue, Fox 6 reported.

Multiple agencies were called in to rescue the two stranded boaters.
Multiple agencies were called in to rescue the two stranded boaters. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

WHITEFISH BAY, WI — Two people became stranded on paddleboards in Lake Michigan Sunday night, prompting an emergency rescue from multiple agencies, Fox 6 reported.

The two victims had lost a paddle and were attempting to reach shore, but were unable due to the current pulling them back into the lake, so they called 911 around 10 p.m. Sunday, prompting a multi-agency response to the incident, according to the Fox 6 report.

Despite spotty cell service, police determined that the paddleboarders were stranded off of Big Bay Park, the report said.

Find out what's happening in Whitefish Bayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A Department of Natural Resources boat and a Milwaukee Fire Department boat successfully located the victims in the water with assistance from Glendale Police Department's aerial drone and Whitefish Bay Police Department's night vision equipment, the Fox 6 report said.

The DNR and MFD boats successfully brought the victims back to shore where local authorities met them and determined that nobody was injured, the Fox 6 report said.

Find out what's happening in Whitefish Bayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The victims were found stranded over a quarter-mile into the lake in the dark of night, according to the report.


Read more about the incident in the Fox 6 report.

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