FOREST CITY – A small boy went missing Friday afternoon at Crystal Lake and was later found in the lake.
The boy had been with family and was said to be playing near the beach at about 2 PM when he was reported missing. After an extensive search by area law enforcement, he was found after 5 PM in the water and taken to a hospital.
The name of the 4-year-old boy was released Saturday. He is Joel Nedved, son of Jeremy and Mindy Nedved of Crystal Lake.
According to Hancock county Sheriff Scott Dodd, the family was at the lake “enjoying the nice day with the family dog” when the boy went missing.
Joel was founding four feet of water about 100 feet from the shore at 5 PM, Sheriff Dodd said. He was transported by ambulance to West Hancock Health Services in Britt by West Hancock ambulance. He was later transferred by Mercy Air Med to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he is receiving treatment.
“The family asks for your continued prayers,” Sheriff Dodd said.
Assisting the Hancock Sheriff’s Department at the scene was Hancock County Conservation, Hancock, Winnebago County Emergency Management, Britt Police Department, Garner Police Department, Winnebago Sheriff, Iowa State Patrol / Aircraft, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa DNR, Crystal Lake Fire Department, Britt Fire Department, Woden Fire Department, Forest City Fire Department, Britt and Forest City Ambulance, Albert Lea Fire Department, Dickinson County Emergency Management, Iowa Underwater Search and Rescue, Mercy Air Med, Arnold’s Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue Dive Team and the Story County STAR 1 Search and Rescue.
I hope the boy is O.K. That water is very close to freezing.