2 boaters feared drowned on western Wis. lake; another makes it to shore
By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune
Last update: May 7, 2009 - 10:35 AM
Two boaters are presumed to have drowned early this morning and a third made it to shore after they fell out of their boat on a western Wisconsin lake, a conservation official said.
The incident occurred about 3 a.m. on Lake Wapogasset, where a search is underway by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the state Department of Natural Resources, said DNR spokesman Jim Bishop.
KSTP-TV is reporting that the body of one of the men has been recovered.
The TV station said that after boat capsized the woman grabbed a life jacket and swam to shore. However, two men, ages 27 and 28, were not as fortunate, the station said.
Sheriff Timothy Moore told the station that neither man was wearing a life jacket and one of them did not know how to swim. All three were staying at a cabin on the lake, and alcohol may have be involved, Moore told KSTP.
Lake Wapogasset is near Amery, about 70 miles northeast of the Twin Cities.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
New Richmond News
AMERY — Two men drowned early Thursday in Lake Wapogasset near Amery, after their boat overturned. A third person survived the 3:30 a.m. accident.
The bodies of Joshua Meline, 28, of Deer Park and Travis Foss, 27, of rural Amery were recovered about 10:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.
The submerged boat was found in 24 feet of water.
Cassandra Meyers, 19, Deer Park, was a passenger in the boat when it flipped. Meyers managed to swim to shore then walked about a mile to call for help.
The drownings remain under investigation.
Court records indicate Meline lived at 420 N. Fourth St., New Richmond, as recently as last summer. Previously, he resided at Balsam Lake. Foss previously lived at Clayton and Chetek.
