On Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at approximately 2 PM  P1 and P2 decided to take a canoe ride on Pelican Lake.  The canoe belonged to the owner of the house that P1 was renting.  P1 stated that there were no PFD's around, but they decided to take the canoe out anyway.  P1 paddled the canoe approximately 100 yards out onto Lake Pelican in a SW direction.  P1 and P2 decided to drift from that location and let the wind bring them back to their home on Lake Pelican.  P1 decided to try to stand up in the canoe and as he did the canoe started wobbling back and forth and eventually capsized.    P1 was able to get the canoe upright and lift P2 into the canoe, which was 3/4 full of water.  P1 then proceeded to try to swim the canoe with P2 inside towards the shore.  P1 stated that the wind kept pushing them East and he was having a difficult time getting closer to shore.  P1 stated that they were able to get the attention of their neighbors who were working in the yard and had them call 911 at 2:23 PM.  At approximately 2:41 members from the Codington County Dive Rescue arrived on scene.  At approximately 2:49 PM the P1 and P2 were located and picked up by members of the Codington County Dive Rescue team.  By 2:54 PM victims were secured on shore and transported to Prairie Lakes hospital where they were treated for Hypothermia.  Blood analysis at the hospital showed P1 with a Blood Alcohol Level of .086%.  P1 told WCO that he had only had a couple of beers that afternoon.  Blood analysis was not done on P2, but P2 stated to WCO that P2 had 1 beer with lunch.
WATERTOWN                     