Pontoon carrying 8 passengers had mechanical problems. Operator and son jumped in water to work on motor. Operator's 2 daughters jumped in water to swim, drifted away from boat and couldn't swim back. Operator and son began to swim to 2 girls but felt they wouldn't get there fast enough so took off pfds to swim faster. All other occupants (except one) jumped off pontoon to assist those in the water. All persons in water began to struggle and were in distress. Another pontoon in the area witnessed the people in the water in distress. They got them all out of the water and to shore where the victims were then checked by paramedics. 4 victims were transported to a hospital for water inhalation and exhaustion. The other 4 were released on scene. One of the injured victims refused to provide his date of birth to authorities.
Faribault                     