U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, suffered a laceration above his right eye that required stitches after the small plane he was traveling in lost power and made an emergency water landing on Lake Wausau on Saturday evening.
Tiffany and the pilot, the only two people aboard a four-seat Beechcraft K35 Bonanza, were returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the aircraft lost power approaching Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot executed an emergency landing on the lake. As the plane began to submerge, the pair called 911, exited the aircraft, and swam to a shallow area, where they waited for first responders who reached them by boat.
Wausau Fire Department and other emergency crews transported both men to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Tiffany’s campaign said Sunday that he received stitches for the cut above his right eye and was released overnight, along with the pilot, who also sustained minor injuries. No further details on the pilot’s injuries were released.
“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 said in a statement.
He thanked the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department, and other first responders for the rapid rescue.
His Democratic opponent, David Crowley, posted well-wishes, saying he was grateful no one was more seriously hurt and crediting the pilot’s actions. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the loss of power. Tiffany was scheduled to address reporters later Sunday in Wausau.
