(Wahpeton)– A Sioux City couple is credited for saving the life of an 82-year-old Milford man who was thrown overboard when another boat collided with his fishing boat late Tuesday afternoon on West Lake Okoboji.
Robert Fitzgerald continues to recover in a Spirit Lake hospital. He’s listed in fair condition today (Wed.) with a sore shoulder and some cuts and bruises to his head and hand.
Gary Owen, a DNR enforcement officer, says Terry and Diane Foister of Sioux City witnessed the incident, and there’s no doubt in his mind they saved Fitzgerald’s life. Owen says Terry Foister jumped into the water and gave Fitzgerald a life jacket…keeping him afloat until EMT’s and the Lakes Patrol arrived.
Owen says the Foisters tried to get the operator of the other boat to wait, but that person fled the scene. Meanwhile, Owen says the search continues for the suspect boat…described as primarily white with a blue stripe and possibly some red paint transfer. The operator is described by witnesses as a 50 to 60-year-old balding male. Owen says they’ve had several leads and are actively pursuing them. Meanwhile, he’s asking anyone with any information to contact authorities. He’s also asking the operator of the suspect boat to turn himself in to authorities or the Dickinson County Attorney.
Owen says this type of crash is getting to be way too common on the Iowa Great Lakes. But he says what’s even more troubling is the fact they’re happening during week days when there isn’t much traffic on the water.
The crash took place shortly before 5:00 p.m. Tuesday off of Eagle Point on West Lake Okoboji. The suspect boat was seen shortly after that headed into Emerson Bay.
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