City honors first responders to summer boating accident

Five Whitefish first responders were recently honored for their response during a boating accident on Whitefish Lake this summer.

Whitefish firefighters Captain Joe Rendahl, Mike Zorn, Cole Hadley and Cole Lackey, along with police officer Trey Nasset were all honored by the Whitefish City Council last week.

Deputy Mayor Richard Hildner presented the firefighters and officer with plaques commending them for their service.

“I am profoundly honored to recognize their service,” Hildner said. “Their prompt and professional life-saving skills prevented an ever greater tragedy.”

A Canadian man was boating on Whitefish Lake with a group of friends in June when he suffered life-threatening injuries. The man got both feet caught in the boat's propeller when the driver started the boat, and one of his feet was completely severed while the other remained barely attached.

Whitefish police, firefighters and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks personnel responded to the scene.

Police Chief Bill Dial recommended to City Council that the Whitefish first responders be honored for their response to the accident. The firefighters and officer got in a boat and met the man as his group was coming in on the lake and if not for that, the man would have bled to death, Dial noted, but is now recovering from his injuries.

“Had it not been for the quick response to the scene and the life-saving measures these men administered the man may have died,” Dial said in a letter. “The professionalism and dedication of these four men is to be commended.”

During the Council meeting, Fire Chief Joe Page and Assistant Police Chief Bridger Kelch also thanked the first responders.

“They are part of numerous life-saving events,” Page said. “They do a great job all the time.”

“It was a proud moment when they all came together when seconds matter,” Kelch said. “Their dedication to the tourists that come here and the residents speaks volumes.”