Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) announced that his plane made an emergency landing over the weekend after the aircraft lost power.
“While returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner tonight, the plane I was traveling in lost power as we approached the Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau,” he wrote on X. “After landing, we called 911. As the plane began to submerge, we exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency responders reached us by boat.”
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and all of the first responders who came to our aid so quickly. They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care. Thankfully, both the pilot and I sustained only minor injuries.”
Tiffany declared, “God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side. An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is.”
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said the emergency landing occurred just before 9 p.m. on Saturday, MPR News reports. Tiffany and the pilot, Leonard Boltz, were rescued by responders in a fire department airboat just after 9 p.m.
According to Fox News, the aircraft was a Beechcraft K35.
Tiffany is running as Wisconsin’s Republican candidate for governor in its upcoming election. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D), who is running against Tiffany, responded to the emergency incident by saying, “I’m grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot.”
“I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones.”
