Iowa County responds to a possible drowning at Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area, individual refuses transport

Saturday afternoon (July 11) the Iowa County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a possible drowning at the Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area in the Town of Highland. Deputies from the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, Highland EMS, Highland Fire Department, Cobb Fire Department, Cobb First Response, Wisconsin DNR, and Med Flight were dispatched to the scene. When first responders arrived, the individual, a 16 year old male, had already been removed from the water by bystanders. EMS personnel immediately began patient assessment and treatment. A Med Flight helicopter responded to the scene, where the flight physician and flight nurse also evaluated the individual. 

The individual ultimately refused any further medical treatment or transportation. Although the initial 911 information indicated CPR may have been in progress, responders later confirmed that CPR was never performed. The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize the quick actions of the bystanders who assisted prior to the arrival of emergency responders, as well as the coordinated response from all public safety agencies involved.