71-Year-Old Man Drowns in Wisconsin Dam Saving Grandchild

A 71-year-old man drowned in the Mikana Dam in Barron County, Wisconsin on Saturday after saving his grandchild who was struggling in the water.

According to a Facebook post by the Barron County Sheriff's Department:

The children had made it to shore safely, but the grandfather was "unaccounted for." Local agencies conducted a search of the surrounding area, but the grandfather's remains were ultimately recovered by a dive team.

An initial investigation indicates that the grandpa had taken his 2 grandkids fishing and swimming in the area. Both kids were wearing life jackets when one of them started to struggle. The grandpa went into the water to help, maneuvering them to where they could stand and ultimately make it to shore. The grandpa then went under and drowned.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. Special thanks to all of the first responders who jumped into action to do all they could for the family.