Family Thrown Into Water When Boat Capsizes

Saturday, February 17th 2007, 7:34 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Members of a family were treated for hypothermia on Saturday after they were thrown into frigid water when high winds capsized their boat on Lake Stanley Draper.

The family was out fishing when winds, gusting to 40 mph at times, toppled the small boat, Lt. Don Holland, a spokesman for the Oklahoma City police department. Someone onshore called police, Holland said.

"Our lake patrol guys were able to get out there and pluck them from the water," he said. "They suffered mild hypothermia and were taken to the hospital."

Holland didn't know how many people were on the boat and said officers don't know how long they were in the water, but guessed it was about five minutes.

"Firefighters said they were very lucky. With the winds today the water temperature was almost 32 degrees," Holland said.

No official wind advisory was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday, but caution on area lakes was urged.

"We ask people to take extra precautions out on the water," Holland said.