Archive for Wednesday, June 24, 2009
No one injured in boating emergency at Clinton Lake
A severe storm brought a scary situation for several boaters at Clinton Lake.
June 24, 2009
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Emergency crews were called to boaters in distress at Clinton Lake shortly after 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Five men were aboard a pontoon boat when four of them went swimming, a spokesman for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said. The storm caused the boat to drift away from the swimmers with one man left aboard.
The four swimmers were able to get back to shore safely.
Emergency crews launched a rescue boat, but before they arrived at the scene, a civilian boat had towed the pontoon boat back to the marina.
No one was injured in the incident.
More like this
- Stranded boaters rescued at Clinton Lake 5 comments / January 1, 2008
- Swimmer rescued at family outing 12 comments / August 6, 2007
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24 June 2009
at 11:03 p.m.
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gsxr600 (Anonymous) says…
I guess no one did the responsible thing to check the weather forecast before heading out.
24 June 2009
at 11:11 p.m.
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KS (Anonymous) says…
gsxr600 - I am assuming that is an uneducated guess on your part. How do you know?
24 June 2009
at 11:12 p.m.
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cowboy (Anonymous) says…
Hey Bevis
Why don't we go get hammered at the lake today
Butthead
cool dude
Bevis
Did you buy gas
Butthead
ahhh , uhhh , gas yeah thats funny , i got gas ,
24 June 2009
at 11:18 p.m.
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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
“The storm caused the boat to drift away from the swimmers with one man left aboard.”
The rest of the story will have to be interesting. Was the boat out of gas? Was the “one man left aboard” gassed? Was this a group from CLO or Cottonwood? Inquiring minds want to know.
24 June 2009
at 11:21 p.m.
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gccs14r (Anonymous) says…
Maybe one of the swimmers had the keys with him. Interesting that shore was closer than the boat, though.
24 June 2009
at 11:48 p.m.
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VoiceOfReason (Anonymous) says…
There HAS to be more to this story. I'm disappointed I decided not to go boating today, although the dark boiling clouds to the north (racing south at 25!) would have led me to dock before the storms hit. That had to be amusing to watch. Personally, I've never known a boater taking the keys out of the ignition when they stop to swim. But maybe they were afraid the “one man left aboard” would leave them behind??
24 June 2009
at 11:51 p.m.
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VoiceOfReason (Anonymous) says…
Seriously…LJW…can you do some kind of follow-up on this one because I ended the story with more questions than when I began.
24 June 2009
at 11:59 p.m.
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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…
cowboy
(Anonymous) says…
Hey Bevis
Why don't we go get hammered at the lake today
Butthead
cool dude
Bevis
Did you buy gas
Butthead
ahhh , uhhh , gas yeah thats funny , i got gas ,
–ROTFL!
yes, DIST, I wondered the same thing.
I mentioned this incident on the storm thread.
one of the valiant vikings was reported to be tossing his cookies, but apparently he refused treatment.
25 June 2009
at 12:25 a.m.
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gccs14r (Anonymous) says…
LOL. Nothing like a little Bud barf after boating.
25 June 2009
at 8:53 a.m.
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imastinker (Anonymous) says…
Stupid - Stupid - Stupid.
Clinton's not that big a lake. Anyone paying attention should have had planty of time to get off the lake before that hit. It got dark and scary half an hour before it actually started.
25 June 2009
at 10:22 a.m.
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brm08 (Anonymous) says…
I live out on Clinton Pkwy by First Serve Tennis so I heard/saw all of the emergency vehicles heading to the lake (didn't know where they were heading at first). They sent 3-4 fire trucks and some other emergency vehicles at first. Then, I saw an emergency vehicle pulling 2 rescue boats heading out that way, so I knew something was going on at the lake. After reading this story, however, I'm confused as to why it took 3-4 fire trucks?!?!?
25 June 2009
at 10:33 a.m.
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gsxr600 (Anonymous) says…
From the time of the story, the weather was already due to roll in way before that, so no they weren't wise in their decision to stay out on the lake that long.
25 June 2009
at 10:33 a.m.
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imastinker (Anonymous) says…
Maybe they were going to pump the water out of the lake so these guys wouldn't drown?
25 June 2009
at 10:50 a.m.
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HootyWho (Anonymous) says…
“Did i say that” needs to shut up about CLO or Cottonwood residents,,,didn't have a thing to do with the story,,,
that was offensive,,,hope it was just a lapse in judgement,,,
25 June 2009
at 11:54 a.m.
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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…
I agree with HootyWho, these posts are getting more and more offensive. Why this need to insult people?
25 June 2009
at 12:41 p.m.
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JHawk1970 (Anonymous) says…
No matter the circumstances 5 families avoided a tragedy.
Cowboy, bearded_gnome and gccs14r you think this is funny and assume that there was alcohol involved. Unless you have psychic powers and know something no one else does there was no mention of alcohol being related to this accident. I can only assume you are basing your comments on your own personal experience and behavior.
You are the ones I would call Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.
25 June 2009
at 12:52 p.m.
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gccs14r (Anonymous) says…
Lose a corncob recently?
25 June 2009
at 2:03 p.m.
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balls123 (Anonymous) says…
By the way, I'm one of the 5 survivors and the only thing I can say is that no one can truly understand our situation unless you were there. We anchored the boat about 100 meters from Bloomington Beach, swam there (without life jackets, which was the biggest mistake we made), and headed back 5 minutes within our arrival because the sky had grown significantly darker within literally ten minutes (one of my buddies stayed back on the boat to watch it). We were about half way back to the boat when in a split second extremely strong winds hit the lake that began creating significantly large waves; anywhere from 4-6 footers. I have never seem a storm hit that fast in my life. But anyway, the four of us in the water were screaming at our fellow still on the boat to come get us and when we finally connected back up with him after this whole tragedy we found that the boat battery was dead and he couldn't even start it! So at this point the boat is floating away from us fast (the winds even pulled up the anchor), and the four of us in the water are separating quickly and fighting for our lives to swim back in to shore. Eventually three of us were able to reunite on the shore of Bloomington Beach. However, our fourth man was still stranded out in the strong wind and waves, drifting farther and farther away. At this point 911 was called and a ranger came and asked us where we last saw him in the water. We pointed about a half mile or so down the lake and he took off in that direction. Eventually he was found passed out along the shore, and given medical assistance (this is when the ambulance arrived). When the three of us reunited with him, he told us he had had a near death experience, and at one point even accepted death as his fate. This was the severity of our situation that no one realized: we were being violently tossed around by the wind and waves taking all the energy out of us and dipping our heads underwater every few seconds. It was a very difficult struggle to make it to shore, and we are all truly lucky to be alive. The utter panic and being alone in the water running purely on adrenaline was one of the most scary moments of my life. As far as the one on the boat, he eventually managed to meet up with another boater who was able to tow my families boat back to the marina. Everybody that was out on the lake at this time was screwed (and there were several, we weren't the only “idiots”), and nobody had near enough time to react to the vicious winds that were coming in. Of course our mistake was not initially checking the forecast, but I had obtained my parent's permission to take the boat out that day so I guess I just assumed the weather would be just peachy; apparently not! Anyways, hope this cleared things up for some people
25 June 2009
at 2:18 p.m.
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gccs14r (Anonymous) says…
Glad you guys made it back safely. Sorry for having poked fun at you.
25 June 2009
at 2:34 p.m.
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oneeye_wilbur (Anonymous) says…
balls123 gets a A+ for the paper on “my most memorable summer experience” please take the graded paper to Dairy King for a free cone!
25 June 2009
at 2:40 p.m.
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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
HootyWho (Anonymous) says…
““Did i say that” needs to shut up about CLO or Cottonwood residents,,,didn't have a thing to do with the story,,,
that was offensive,,,hope it was just a lapse in judgement,,,”
No, HootyWho, there was no lapse in judgment just as there was no offensive statement made. It was simply a speculation as to why someone in a boat might not be able to rescue others. I suggest that you not be so quick to anger. CLO and Cottonwood are great organizations that do a wonderful job of keeping exceptional people involved in our community. It is sad that it offends you that people in the community are aware of the wonderful work that CLO and Cottonwood does.
25 June 2009
at 3:19 p.m.
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KansasPerson (Anonymous) says…
Did_I_say_that wins for “most disingenuous post.”
balls123, even if you'd checked the weather forecast you might not have been aware of how bad it was going to be. We were having dinner at the time and we'd been monitoring the Weather Channel and our weather radio at the same time, because the sky kept getting darker and darker (mostly to our north). The weather report kept saying that the t-storm warning was north and east of us. We were outside in the front yard when the wind hit, and it just got stronger and stronger. Went back in and watched it get even darker outside. Finally, as the rain began to fall, a t-storm warning was issued for our county.
I totally understand how a storm can sneak up on you. It might not be enough to just watch the sky or even just listen to the weather radio — in some cases, it's best to do everything you can! Did you have a pretty good view to the north from where you were anchored? (I don't know where Bloomington Beach is.)
Agree that life jackets are a good idea. Next time you'll know.
And don't forget, it was not a tragedy — you are all okay physically, yes? Though I'm sure you'll be a bit shaken up for a while. Close call!!
25 June 2009
at 3:35 p.m.
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sherbert (Anonymous) says…
So were you all teenagers? You 'had your parents permission'?
25 June 2009
at 4:05 p.m.
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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
KansasPerson (Anonymous) says…
“Did_I_say_that wins for “most disingenuous post.”
No, I meant what I said. If others are judgemental, so be it.
25 June 2009
at 4:05 p.m.
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gogoplata (Anonymous) says…
Hell, I've swam from the marina over to that beach they were filming from. After a night of drinking at the Ranch. Ah, memories.
25 June 2009
at 4:23 p.m.
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riverat (Joe Hyde) says…
For what this is worth, I repeatedly checked the on-line National Weather Service radar image and forecast yesterday afternoon on almost an hourly basis. Due to some kind of glitch in the system, I've been unable lately to get the “loop” image that shows cloud formations in motion.
So when I noticed a storm system forming up to the north of Topeka, I assumed it would do the usual thing and move to the northeast…away from Lawrence. Wrong: once I switched to the AccuWeather radar loop I saw that the storm was moving southeast, directly toward Lawrence.
Point being, even if “balls123” and his buddies had checked the NWS weather conditions immediately before launching their boat, they'd have seen the same tame-looking forecast (20% chance of rain) I saw, and they'd also have seen the same radar image I did.
Yesterday's storm was one of those deals where so much heat/humidity energy was in the atmosphere that a rapidly-forming locally severe storm was likely. But it was also likely, statistically, that no storm at all would have happened. So you roll the dice.
Of the many canoe camping trips I've done on the Kaw River, twice I've been surprised by violent storms the forecasters didn't predict. Kansas weather can ambush you; that's no joke. It's great that yesterday's lake incident proved to be only a nasty, close call in which all hands survived. Because judging from the strokes that kept hitting here in town, out on the lake they were lucky lightning didn't kill them all. Lucky, lucky, lucky.
25 June 2009
at 4:56 p.m.
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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…
Balls123,
the article didn't reflect any of what you describe, i.e. the third guy with near death experience.
yesterday at the time we were under a severe thunderstorm watch.
and at 6pm my dog was already warning me of the storm coming.
I have to say “if” because sometimes people post on here claiming to be involved in these incidents who actually are not: but if what you say is true, I am sincerely glad you all got out of the lake safe.
next time, a little more care could save your life, i.e. check out the boat before you go out in it, take a portable weather radio with you on the lake, now they're pretty cheap.
sorry about poking fun at you, it was based on what was in the article.
25 June 2009
at 8:27 p.m.
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DoUntoOthers (Anonymous) says…
Let he/she who has never made a mistake cast the first stone. Lets count our blessings as a community that no lives were lost. Why do some people have to be so quick to criticize, especially when it involves total speculation?
25 June 2009
at 8:48 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
Did_I_say_that ,
this quote says it all. “Was this a group from CLO or Cottonwood? “
My question is simply. are you as ignorant as you appear to be?
“Inquiring minds want to know.”
Tend to think you are just an un-educated HS dropout. Maybe just a right wing evangelical christian compassionate conservative. Like your beloved W.
25 June 2009
at 9:51 p.m.
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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…
should have added to my previous post:
we were also under a severe thunderstorm *warning* from like 6;35p.m. don't remember exact time. This should've started these fellas off the lake then.
I am glad nobody got hurt. if somebody had, most of us wouldn't have joked about it, I'm sure.
***
Beo, you bring in George Bush *on this thread?* you really do need help.
25 June 2009
at 9:54 p.m.
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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
beobachter,
What is your problem? LJW gave no information other than, “The storm caused the boat to drift away from the swimmers with one man left aboard.” I offered three possibilities that could possibly lead to “one man left aboard” that was unable to assist the others. I am sorry that you are offended that I could believe that CLO or Cottonwood might allow their residents to go boating and swimming. There is nothing ignorant about the question. I am also sorry that some on this forum see our exceptional residents in a way that does not allow them to be part of a normal experience such as boating.
By the way, an ad hominem argument, that is one which attacks the person rather than facts, demonstrates the attacker’s ignorance - not the attacked.
Now, please explain what is ignorant about the question.
25 June 2009
at 10:31 p.m.
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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
KansasPerson (Anonymous) says…
“Did_I_say_that wins for “most disingenuous post.””
KansasPerson, Perhaps I misunderstood your comment. Please explain why or how my post is “disingenuous”.
26 June 2009
at 12:40 a.m.
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balls123 (Anonymous) says…
Seriously, do you guys have anything better to do than sit around on an internet blog and argue/ talk sh** about an article you can only make assumptions about? The only reason I have spoken my word here is because I was involved with this incident, believe it or not. Get a life.
26 June 2009
at 12:50 a.m.
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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
balls123 (Anonymous) says…
“Seriously, do you guys have anything better to do than sit around on an internet blog and argue…”
Do you realize how oxymoronic that question is?
26 June 2009
at 2:37 a.m.
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hawkfan188 (Anonymous) says…
Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
balls123 (Anonymous) says…
“Seriously, do you guys have anything better to do than sit around on an internet blog and argue…”
Do you realize how oxymoronic that question is?
Oxymoronic? I think not. You're confused. A term like “contradictory” or “hypocritical” would be much more applicable. To help you out, an oxymoron implies conflicting and opposite terms, not ideas. I'd suggest picking up a dictionary next time you're out from in front of the computer; they're helpful in situations like this, in case a similar instance of confusion strikes you.
Regardless of your error, “balls123” merely seems to be attempting to set the record straight where LJWorld came up short. Let's just be thankful we're not four or five lives short today.
26 June 2009
at 5:05 a.m.
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tumbilweed (Anonymous) says…
“Why do some people have to be so quick to criticize, especially when it involves total speculation?”
Yes, in “One Flew Over the Cockoo's Nest”, Randle McMurphy describes his companions in the mental hospital like a bunch of chickens who, noticing a small spot of blood on one of the other chickens, begin pecking at it. Soon, spots of blood have spread to others, creating a chaotic free for all that consumes them all, and for what?
Reading through here often reminds me of this image.
26 June 2009
at 9:27 a.m.
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Did_I_say_that (Anonymous) says…
Hawkfan188,
Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness) ; broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements. (Merriam-Webster)
Ironic may have been another choice of words. Yet, after looking up both words on Merriam-Webster I still chose to use oxymoronic. I chose the word because I thought the question was indeed incongruous. The question asked was, ironically, the behavior being questioned. Yes, I know that the commenter's previous post was meant to clarify the original article (thank you balls123); however, my comment was on the second post.
26 June 2009
at 12:08 p.m.
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nclaker (Anonymous) says…
“Tend to think you are just an un-educated HS dropout. Maybe just a right wing evangelical christian compassionate conservative. Like your beloved W.”
So beobachter while you are quick to accuse and attack others of disparaging a group of people you personally have no qualms about disparaging millions of HS droupouts and half the county that voted for “W”, eh?