Republican Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany was rescued from Lake Wausau Saturday night after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing after losing power, CBS affiliate WSAW reported.
“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,” Tiffany, who is also a member of the U.S. House, said in a statement.
“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 was hospitalized for minor injuries but released that same night, he explained in a follow-up statement published on Sunday.
“I was released from the hospital last night after receiving stitches above my right eye, and the pilot was also released,” he said. “We thank God that neither of us suffered more serious injuries after the plane we were traveling in lost power.”
Tiffany was endorsed by President Donald Trump, who called him an “America First Congressman” who had “always been at my side.” Tiffany is also a member of the House Freedom Caucus, and has pledged to advance Trump’s “America First agenda.”