Western Lakes Fire District presents teenager with Citizen Life-Saving Award

 

SUMMIT, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A teenager in Waukesha County received a big honor on Thursday, Oct. 12. 

17-year-old Nolan Wingert is a regular on upper Genesee Lake, but while kayaking on June 2, 2023, he had a first-time encounter.

"I was just out here fishing like any other day," Wingert said. "I heard a big splash, that's when I noticed."

Nolan saw a man in the water near a moving boat that appeared empty.

"I took my arms and waved them over my head to see if someone would wave back or say something, and there was no response," Wingert said. "I started to paddle over there as fast as I could cause I noticed something wasn't right."

He didn't think twice, immediately going to help.

"I got right in front of him and had him grab onto the back of my kayak," Wingert said. "My priority was, get him to a safe spot, and we'll handle it from there."

Thankfully, the boater was okay. They even met again a few weeks later.

"He gave me a fishing rod, basically saying thank you," Wingert said.

On Thursday, Oct. 12, Western Lakes Fire District presented Nolan with a Citizen Life-Saving Award.

"In a way, I feel like it's un-needed, because I wish other people would act the same way, but I'm glad we can talk about it today, cause then others can take action whenever they do see something like this," Wingert said.

He's staying humble about the situation, but Nolan's parents say they're in awe.

"I'm like, what you did was preserved a life. You helped so many people in that guy's life," said Amanda Wingert, Nolan's mother.

“Couldn't believe it. Obviously, just extremely proud of him," said Nolan's father, Matt Wingert.

Nolan asks that others do the same if they see someone in need and reminds people to always stay safe when enjoying Lake Country.