Two People Rescued From Lake After Losing Control Of Boat
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Two people were rescued from a Brainerd lake on Friday night after they lost control of their boat and went overboard.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Friday on Rice Lake. Neighbors say they heard a boat motor and then a loud scream.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office said the boat's driver let go of the tiller handle and a man and woman went overboard.
The boat started what's called "the circle of death," running into the man and woman repeatedly.
Brainerd City Council member Gary Scheeler is one of the neighbors who came to the rescue. He said another neighbor had just put their pontoon in the water that afternoon when they jumped onboard to get to the man and woman in the water.
"We positioned ourselves between the circle of death boat and the people," said Scheeler, "and got her pulled up next to the pontoon and held her there and tried to get her in, and we couldn't pull her in. She was so badly injured.
"I had every ounce of my energy trying to hang onto her so we wouldn't lose her on the water. I was holding on so tight I actually ripped my flesh open on my hand because I promised this lady I wasn't going to let go of her.
"She'll live and thank god for that."
The water temperature last night was 44 degrees.
The woman was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center. Scheeler said she has some head and hand injuries but is expected to be OK. The man was not badly injured.
Scheeler said it's a reminder that everyone should always wear life jackets.