A Parks Bureau deputy sheriff working at the Pyramid Lake substation pulled three men from the cold waters of Pyramid Lake Saturday afternoon after their boat sank and the trio was trying to swim to shore.
Deputy Richard Nichol was summoned by a concerned citizen around 1:30 p.m., who told him that the three men were in the water due to the sinking of their 12-foot aluminum fishing boat.
Calling for additional deputies and for help from the L.A. County Fire Department, Nichol drove to the swimmers’ location. They had been in the water for approximately 10 minutes and the cold temperatures were affecting their ability to stay afloat.
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The deputy was able to pull all three large men from the water into the rescue boat by himself, including one of the victims who was losing consciousness due to the cold water. As additional deputies arrived, they began warming procedures on the men until Los Angeles County Fire Paramedics arrived on scene.
Three men, ages 31, 38, and 40, who are residents of Porter Ranch, Tarzana, and Winnetka, were transported to a local hospital where they were evaluated for hypothermia.