City-Times Staff

A local fisherman today owes his life to a Town of Linwood couple.

Lawrence Meixner, 64 of Stevens Point, had been fishing off the County Highway HH boat loading when his anchored boat flipped over due to a rapid current. Marilyn and Ron Flood heard Meixner calling for help as he floated by their Bay Shore Drive home.

Meixner was able to cling to the overturned boat while Marilyn Floor dialed 911 shortly after 10 AM on Friday. Ron Flood borrowed a neighbor’s pontoon boat to enter the river and retrieve Meixner from the 34- degree water safely.

Portage Co. Sheriff’s Deputies stood by at the landing with a rescue boat and took Meixner to a waiting ambulance. At that time deputies said he was “extremely tired but apparently uninjured”.

Meixner was transported to St. Michael’s Hospital and his condition is not known at this time.

After heavy snow melt and recent rain, the Wisconsin River is at near flood stage, and the water is moving fast. Sheriff John Charewicz reminds boaters who plan on taking to the water in the next few weeks to use extreme caution, stay well clear of any of the dams in the area, and wear a life vest.