A terrifying flight ended in a desperate swim for survival on Saturday night when U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, who is currently running for governor as the Republican candidate, survived an emergency lake landing. The incident occurred while Tiffany and his pilot were approaching the Wausau Downtown Airport in a four seat Bonanza shortly after the congressman had attended a political dinner in La Crosse County. According to Tiffany, the aircraft suddenly lost power, forcing the pilot to make an immediate emergency descent into Lake Wausau.

The situation grew dire almost instantly after the plane hit the surface of the water. While they managed to contact 911 immediately, Tiffany recounted that the fuselage began filling with water and sinking faster than rescuers could arrive. Faced with a submerging aircraft, both men were forced to abandon the cabin and swim through the dark waters toward a shallow area, where they waited for emergency crews to reach them by boat.

Both Tiffany and the pilot were rushed to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, though officials confirmed that neither suffered more than minor injuries during the ordeal. In a statement shared on social media, Tiffany expressed profound gratitude for the quick actions of his pilot and the local fire department, noting that he felt divine protection played a role in their survival. He described being reunited with his wife, Chris, at the hospital as a poignant reminder of how precious life truly is.

While supporters have flooded social media with prayers and messages of relief, investigators are now working to determine exactly why the engine failed mid flight. For now, Tiffany appears shaken but recovered from what he describes as a harrowing close call that nearly turned fatal just moments before help arrived.