At approximatel 13:37 Dickinson County Communications Center advised Gull Point Lake Patrol of a possible missing person off from Pikes Point State Park on West Lake Okoboji.  Upon arrival on the scene it was confirmed that someone was in fact missing.  Operator voluntarily left his boat IA5491 BF to retrieve his hat that blew out of the boat.  Operator was struggling and called for his wife to throw a Type III to Operator.  Operator was not able to reach the type III.  Wife then threw a Type IV , then a green noodle and finally a floating tube.  Operator was unable to reach any of the four floating objects when he disappeared under the surface of the water.  Wife then started the boat and drove to another boat to ask someone to call 911.

Incident command was established in Pikes Point State Park and rescue operations began with Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue, Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, Spirit Lake Fire and Rescue, IA. Dept of Natural Resources.  Officer assisted Water Patrol Officer to establish a searching point for Operator.  After 2 hours into the rescue operations, incident Command changed to a recovery operation.  Searching began with the aid of side scan sonar, with divers diving on potential locations.  The recovery operation continued until sunset on the 27th and then continued on the morning of 28th the following day. Ay 13:20  divers dove on a location from a side scan sonar picture where Operator was recovered from 42 feet of water and transported to Turner Funeral Home.

Spirit Lake                   