LYNNWOOD — An angler who fell into Martha Lake while trying to land a fish on Wednesday morning needed help getting out of the chilly water.
The man was spotted hanging from the side of his boat at about 9:45 a.m., about 70 feet from the dock at Martha Lake County Park, said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Fire District 1.
The man had become tangled in an anchor line and fell overboard while trying to land a fish, she said. A competitive swimmer who was training in the lake nearby came to the man’s aid, untangling his feet. The angler was unable to get back into the boat.
“The swimmer climbed aboard and started rowing to shore with the fisherman clinging to the side of the boat,” Hines said.
A witness called 911 and a Fire District 7 engine with two rescue swimmers joined crews from Fire District 1. A rescue swimmer swam to the boat to help keep the fisherman above water.
The man had been in the water about 15 minutes before he reached shore. He was evaluated by fire crews, who determined that he was cold but uninjured, Hynes said. The fish the angler was trying to land was still hooked on the end of his line, she added.
The angler was not wearing a life jacket. They are recommended for all boaters, adults and children, when on or around water, Hynes said.
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