Dickinson County, Iowa — There were two near drownings Tuesday, July 4th, on West Lake Okoboji.
The first one took place a little after 4:00 pm when crews were called to the Miller’s Bay area. Chris Yungbluth of Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire and Rescue says the person involved in that incident was identified as 21-year-old Randy Vilayphone of Sioux Falls who was recovered from a depth of about 17 feet.
Yungbluth says Vilayphone was then transported to Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake and was then transferred to a Sioux Falls hospital. He says Vilayphone had been on a vessel and how he ended up in the water remains under investigation.
Yungbluth says the second incident took place around 7:30 pm at the Arnolds Park Public Beach near Preservation Plaza. He says a victim, identified as 22-year-old Atem Kiir, also of Sioux Falls, was found face down in the water.
Yungbluth thanks the various agencies that assisted them in their quick responses.
The conditions of both men are currently unknown.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KUOO in Spirit Lake)
