A man was swimming in Lac La Belle when he disappeared.
At 7:18 p.m. on July 21, 2022, the Waukesha County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a possible drowning on Lac La Belle in the Town of Oconomowoc, according to the Western Lakes Fire District.
The Western Lakes Fire District’s Fire, EMS and Dive teams were dispatched to the incident along with the Town of Oconomowoc Police, City of Oconomowoc Police, and Western Waukesha Dive Team.
“At this time we know a male was swimming in the water in the area north west of Islandale and south west of Buzzard Point on Lac La Belle,” the Fire District said in a statement.
The man is in his 30s and jumped off a pontoon boat.
“Mutual aid dive teams and boats were requested to assist from the Waukesha County Sheriffs Department, Wisconsin DNR, Chenequa Police, Mukwonago, Washington County, Dodge County, and Fort Atkinson. Units on scene utilized sonar, divers, submersible and aerial drones.”
Rescue efforts were suspended at 11 p.m. on the evening of July 21. “Resources will redeploy at 7 a.m. on Friday morning to continue searching. At this time the boat launch at City Beach in Oconomowoc is closed and will remain closed until further notice for the ongoing search and investigation. Areas of Lac La Belle will also be closed while crews continue search efforts,” they wrote.
“Our thoughts are with the family and community.” A concert at the beach has been cancelled for Friday night as a result.
