Wisconsin Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany survived an emergency water landing on Lake Wausau on Saturday after the single-engine plane he was traveling in lost power mid-flight. The incident occurred as Tiffany and the pilot were en route to Wausau Downtown Airport in a four-seat Beechcraft Bonanza.

According to Tiffany’s social media statement, the aircraft suddenly experienced a loss of power, prompting an emergency water landing on the lake. After the plane touched down, the aircraft began to sink, leading Tiffany and the pilot to swim to a shallow area of the lake where they awaited rescue. Both men subsequently contacted emergency services via 911.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene and transported the pair to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for evaluation. Tiffany posted on the social media platform X that he was thankful to have survived the ordeal and was grateful to be in the hospital with his wife present, reflecting on the experience as a reminder of life’s fragility.

Tiffany had been traveling following his appearance at the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner. He is currently engaged in a competitive gubernatorial race against Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. No further details about the pilot’s condition or the cause of the engine failure were immediately available.