Story originally printed in the Coulee News or online at www.couleenews.com

Published - Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Stranded boaters rescued on Lake Onalaska

Three people stranded on Lake Onalaska when their boat motor died are safe after being rescued Wednesday evening by the town of Campbell fire department, officials said.

The three — Jeff Lieske, of the town of Campbell, and two girls ages 10 and 7, one of which was his fiancee’s daughter — called on a cell phone about 5:30 p.m. to report their boat was without power as a storm with heavy rain and fog rolled through the region, said Chief Gary Brauer.

A fire department boat reached the stranded trio about 6:15 p.m. east of Lock and Dam No. 7 near Dresbach, Minn., along the spillway dike, said Brauer.

The three were taken to a boat landing on French Island, where they were evaluated by Tri-State Ambulance for exposure to cold and then released, said Matt Zavadsky, Tri-State Ambulance director.

Lieske thought the boat motor possibly ran out of fuel, Brauer said.

The rescue effort also included Campbell and Brice Prairie first responders, town of Campbell police, and the La Crosse Area Underwater Rescue and Recovery Unit.

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