Lake Rescue Team Searches For Missing Swimmer

The Madison Fire Department Lake Rescue Team was called to Lake Monona this afternoon to search for a missing swimmer. The call for assistance was received at 3:38 PM and rescue divers were in the water fifteen minutes later. Witnesses reported that a 50 year old man was last seen swimming in the water near Law Park. The fire department rescue divers conducted systematic searches of the area where the man was swimming. Divers reported that visibility under the water's surface was less than 10 inches and made search operations very difficult. Members of the Lake Rescue Team searched the water for over two hours before they were relieved by the Dane County Sheriff's Office Dive Team. Additional updates will be provided by the Madison Police Department as information becomes available. Please contact the Madison Police Department Officer in Charge (OIC) with any questions. The Madison Fire Department Lake Rescue Team is comprised 51 trained scuba divers, certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. On-duty divers respond year-round to topside, underwater, and ice rescues and recoveries, vehicle recoveries, and assistance calls from the City of Madison Police Department and Dane County Sheriff's Office.