Tom Tiffany’s plane forced to make emergency water landing after campaign event
The Republican candidate for governor ‘exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area’ according to a campaign statement
WAUSAU, Wis. —Tom Tiffany Emergency Plane Landing Press ConferenceWatch on
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The plane carrying Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany was forced to make an emergency water landing near Wausau Saturday night after the plane lost power, according to a statement from the Tiffany campaign.
“After landing, we called 911,” Tiffany said in a statement. “As the plane began to submerge, we exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency responders reached us by boat.”
Tiffany was returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner. Tiffany said the plane, described as a four-seat Bonanza, lost power while approaching the Wausau Downtown Airport.
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said the initial 911 call came in at 8:49 p.m. Saturday. The sheriff’s office identified the pilot as 73-year-old Leonard Boltz from Pearson.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
“Thank you to everyone across Wisconsin and around the country who has reached out with prayers and kind words,” Tiffany said Sunday morning. “I’m especially grateful to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, law enforcement, first responders, and the team at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their incredible care and quick response.”
In a new statement this morning, Tiffany’s campaign said he received stitches above his right eye at Aspirus Wausau Hospital overnight and was released. The pilot was also released.
Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley said in response, “I’m grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot. I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones.”
Read the full statement from Tom Tiffany below.
Tom Tiffany issued the following statement after the plane carrying him home from tonight’s La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau:
“While returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner, the plane I was traveling in lost power as we approached the Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau.
“After landing, we called 911. As the plane began to submerge, we exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency responders reached us by boat.
“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. They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care. Thankfully, both the pilot and I sustained only minor injuries.
“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.”