Wisconsin GOP governor candidate swims from sinking plane after emergency lake landing

Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S.

Rep.

Tom Tiffany said he and a pilot escaped with minor injuries after their small plane lost power and made an emergency landing in a lake Saturday night.

Tiffany said the four-seat Bonanza was approaching Wausau Downtown Airport when it lost power following his appearance at the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner.

"The pilot made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau," Tiffany wrote on X.

COAST GUARD PLANE WITH DHS SECRETARY MARKWAYNE MULLIN ON BOARD MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER ENGINE FAILURE The congressman explained that he and the pilot quickly called 911 after hitting the water, but the aircraft began filling and sinking into the lake before rescuers could reach them.

"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 said.

MULTIPLE INJURED AFTER FLOATPLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING, CATCHES FIRE OFF WASHINGTON COAST Tiffany and the pilot were pulled from the lake and transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Both sustained only minor injuries, according to the congressman.

"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 said.

"They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care." Tiffany shared that his wife, Chris, was by his side at the hospital following the harrowing landing and water rescue .

"God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side," he said.

"An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is." Prayers and messages of relief poured in across social media after Tiffany shared details of the close call. ‘COMMON SENSE AGAINST CRAZY’: TRUMP-BACKED CANDIDATE SOUNDS ALARM ON SOCIALIST HONG IN WISCONSIN RACE "My god! What an ordeal.

Very grateful everyone is safe," one person wrote.