Off duty Fond du Lac firefighter rescues crew of capsized boat on Lake Winnebago

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A firefighter with Fond du Lac Fire was fishing Thursday night on Lake Winnebago about 200 yards offshore when he and his father-in-law saw a small boat with three people struggling to battle a quickly changing current due to a wind shift.

Around 8:15 p.m. the boat capsized and the firefighter, identified as Nick Fahrenkrug, moved his boat towards the boaters who were now in the water without life jackets. 

The firefighter and his father-in-law were able to get all three boaters in their boat and towed the capsized boat to shore. 

The three victims refused medical care. 

"As the boating season gets underway, please be sure to wear your personal flotation devices when out on the water”, said Fire Chief Peter O’Leary. “Even experienced swimmers can easily get caught up by quickly changing weather conditions and life vests help to ensure everyone’s safety out on the water.”

Share this article: