Man rescued after four hours on lake
A fishing boat sunk on Lake Huron Sunday and a 46 year old man survived four hours in the water, clinging to a cooler and a floating seat.
Another angler on the boat swam three miles into shore, alerted authorities, and probably saved his comrades life.
The 22 foot fiberglass boat went down about 10 am when the downriggers apparently got tangled in an underwater obstruction and pulled the boat under in 15 seconds, according to a report from the Presque Isle County Sheriff?s Department. Jeff Mindykowski, 46, of Alpena, was heard yelling for help when he got to Bell Island, prompting the first 911 call at 1153 a.m. Mindykowski called 911 minutes later and told the dispatcher John Krawczak was still out in the water.
Launching boats in the choppy Lake Huron waves were the United States Coast Guard USCG, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment DNRE and the sheriff?s department?s marine officer. The USCG also dispatched a chopper from Traverse City. The boat?s last coordinates were forwarded to rescue crews. Krawczak was found by the DNRE boat and turned over to the USCG. He was taken to Alpena Regional Medical Center for treatment of hypothermia, although he was doing good, according to the report.