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Sam Penrod ReportingAccidents in the water can happen in a split second and have tragic results. But being prepared can save lives, as a man boating learned today.
The victim was taken to the hospital with symptoms of hypothermia, but should be okay. But for a time, his cries for help were only heard by our KSL photographer, who put the camera away and went in to help the man.
KSL photographer Steve Landeen arrived to the report of a man overboard on Utah Lake. At first all he could see was an empty boat.
Steve Landeen, KSL Photographer: "The only thing I could hear was his cries for help, and I couldn't see anyone else around to help him."
So Landeen stopped filming and went into the lake himself.
Steve Landeen: "I looked up and down the shoreline and couldn't see any boats, so I thought, 'I know how shallow it is here, I could probably make it out to him in a couple of minutes.'"
But as Landeen got within a few yards of the man, Utah Lake State Park rangers arrived in a rescue boat. They pulled the victim aboard and rushed him to a waiting ambulance.
Trampas Williams, Ranger, Utah Lake State Park: "When we got him into the boat, we could tell he was hypothermic."
The wind picked up on the lake this afternoon and caused the boat to rock. The victim was able to call 911 for help. But before that help arrived, the waves threw him into the lake.
Because he was wearing a lifejacket, he was able to hold on until that rescue boat arrived. Authorities say the fact the man was wearing a life jacket today, was the difference between life and death.
Trampas Williams, Ranger, Utah Lake State Park: "If you get displaced from your boat, water temperatures are in the lows 60's and high 50's, and hypothermia and exhaustion is going to take over in 15-20 minutes. If you don't have a life jacket on, you have to give us time to get there and help you, or else the worst could happen."
Rangers also warn that the wind can pick up fast, so fast, those in small boats can have a hard time getting off the lake in time. Fortunately this time, the boater was okay.
