MADISON, Wisconsin — Police say a woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon after she jumped into Lake Mendota and tried to swim away from officers responding to a welfare check near James Madison Park.
Woman Swims Away From Police During Welfare Check
According to the Madison Police Department, officers were called to James Madison Park after receiving reports of a woman who appeared intoxicated and disoriented near the lakefront.
When police arrived, the woman suddenly ran into the water and began swimming away, ignoring repeated commands to return to shore. Officers said she continued moving farther into Lake Mendota despite their efforts to coax her back.
Authorities then contacted the UW–Madison Police Department’s boat team for assistance in bringing the woman to safety. Even after officers reached her, they said she refused to get on board the rescue boat…