Tom Tiffany and pilot had to swim to safety after plane made an emergency landing in a lake Saturday

Republican congressman, and Wisconsin gubernatorial nominee, Tom Tiffany had to swim to safety after a plane he was traveling in made an emergency landing in a lake late Saturday (September 12). Tiffany was returning from an event in La Crosse when the light aircraft lost power as it approached Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau. They both ended up in the water and swam to safety. Emergency responders got both Tiffany, and the pilot, to a nearby hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.

After the incident Saturday night Tiffany posted the following statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) where he said, “While returning home from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner tonight, 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.”

Tiffany went on to say, “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.”