Klondike Lake, just north of Big Pine off Hwy 395
Six people and a dog nearly drowned Sunday afternoon in an accident on Klondike Lake, but quick thinking by Big Pine volunteer Fire Capt. Jason Morgan prevented tragedy.
“He deserves so much credit,” said Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department Chief Damon Carrington. “Because of the heroic effort of what he did, everyone survived. It’s pretty amazing.”
The call came through at 1:48 p.m. Sunday for a group of people drowning and yelling for help near the middle of Klondike Lake. Carrington headed for the scene and, knowing what would be required, called for additional resources to help. The rescue would require a boat, and the nearest boat dispatch could find was a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power boat in Bishop.
Out on the lake, three kayaks had overturned. Two people on paddleboards attempted to save them and ended up in the water as well. A bystander on shore managed to swim out to the drowning people and helped them cling to the overturned kayaks, but the situation was dire. No one involved was wearing floatation devices.
“What Jason did was so above and beyond, to bring his own boat out there and save these people,” Carrington said. “If those two patients had to wait another 10 minutes for the boat from Bishop, they wouldn’t have made it.”
Morgan has been a member of the Big Pine fire department for seven years.
By Kristina Blüm Justice
Special to The Inyo Register
Courtesy of Inyo Register
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I am a kayaker (and a certified mermaid so I’m an excellent swimmer). However I NEVER go out on the water in my yak without a PFD (Personal Flotation Device). Anything can happen at anytime, as witnessed in this scary circumstance. Even the dog should have been wearing one. Glad they were all okay in the end. Thanks to ALL the folks who helped in the rescue.
You don’t mention anything about Nikolaus Poole and Cole Guse who swam to these people to get them. They got them to hold onto the Kayak and the boys got the people to shore . One woman was having seizures and the man was drunk. This all took place before the fire dept got there. Also Mr. Guse swam out to bring these people in. Nikolaus Poole and Cole Guse are being honored at thier school where they are both 8th graders. These boys are the real heros they acted quickly to rescue these people.
Wow, it’s amazing what you can learn when you dig deeper into a press release. Good job boys!
Typical journalism to overlook the real hero’s while giving atta boys to the first responders.
Shelly Dormire
Gosh,your story about this incident,and what seems many others are telling,is SO different than what’s being said and told.
Almost like the fire dept. arrived after the fact,but still getting all the life-saving credit.
The whole incident, so wrong in so many ways
Six people,at least one of them apparently drunk ( a “medical emergency ? )…no one having flotation devices,seemingly unable to swim and get back to shore on their own.
And needing a rescue from two 14 year old 8th grade boys risking their own lives doing so ?
Not blaming KSRW at all for the story written and reported above,I’m sure what they were being told by authorities….but it seems the authorities should give credit where credit is due when telling news outlets of what happened.
That’s interesting. Were you a witness?
K
I am glad this had a positive outcome. All this could have been avoided had these people had their life vests on.
Real heroes are Cole Guse and Nik Pooley 2 14 year Olds and Zac Guse
Did you see this?