Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany swims to safety after plane makes emergency landing in lake

Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany suffered minor injuries after a plane carrying him lost power and made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau on Saturday night.

Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, said he was returning from an event in Onalaska when the Beechcraft K35 lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport.

The pilot landed the aircraft on the lake before Tiffany and the pilot called 911. As the plane began sinking, both escaped and swam to shallow water.

“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,” Tiffany wrote on X.

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said the aircraft experienced a mechanical problem at about 8:49 PM. Tiffany and the pilot were rescued by a fire department airboat about 16 minutes later.

“They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care,” Tiffany said.

The Federal Aviation Administration told CNN it is investigating the incident.

“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,” Tiffany added.