"When will they ever learn" asks Park Rangers

A Lanett, Alabama, man almost drowned in West Point Lake last Thursday evening April 26. That and two other accidents at the lake last week have park rangers scratching their heads why people will not learn to use PFDs that can save their lives.

In one accident the owner was thrown out of the boat and it turned in circles until it ran out of gas. Another caught fire Thursday, forcing its owner to swim for shore.

A nearby boater, John Young, saw Andrew Wilkerson in the water and promptly responded probably saving his life. "Luckily, there were people on the shore hollering at us. When we turned around, Wilkerson popped up. As we headed to him, he went back down again," said rescuer Young.

West Point Lake park ranger David Barr commented "We can't encourage people enough. You just never know when disaster's going to strike”. “When you're on the lake, we always encourage people to wear a life jacket," said Barr.

Andrew Wilkerson said he keeps a life jacket in his boat, and said this was the one time he didn't put it on. He said he'll wear it from now on. Wilkerson was treated for hypothermia and severe exhaustion Thursday, but is doing well and is very grateful to the men who saved him.