Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany shared that he and a pilot managed to escape with only minor injuries after their small plane lost power and had to land in a lake on Saturday evening.
Tiffany described how the four-seat Bonanza aircraft encountered trouble while approaching the Wausau Downtown Airport, following his speech at the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner.
“The pilot executed an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau,” Tiffany detailed in a post on X.
The congressman went on to explain that he and the pilot immediately called 911 after hitting the water, but unfortunately, the plane began filling up with water and started to sink before help arrived.
“As the aircraft started to go under, we got out and swam to shallower water, where we waited for the responders to come and get us by boat,” Tiffany recounted.
Tiffany and the pilot were later rescued from the lake and taken to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where both were treated for minor injuries.
“I want to thank the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and all the first responders who helped us so swiftly,” Tiffany expressed. “They got us off the water safely and took us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received great care.”
He also mentioned that his wife, Chris, was with him at the hospital following the emergency. “It’s moments like these that really remind you how precious life is,” he said. “I feel blessed to be here with my wife after such a frightening experience.”
After Tiffany posted about the incident, a wave of support and prayers flooded in on social media.
Tiffany, who currently represents Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, is also running as the Republican candidate for governor in the upcoming state election.
Authorities are still looking into the cause of the power loss that led to the emergency landing.
