5 people plucked from Conneaut lighthouse

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 28, 2008 12:22 am

— CONNEAUT — A sudden thunderstorm Thursday evening stranded five young adults on the Conneaut Harbor breakwater next to the lighthouse, firefighters said.
Firefighters called to the scene used the department’s airboat to safely shuttle the victims to shore, according to reports. There were no injuries, and no one required medical attention, firefighters said.
Victims ranged in age from 17 to 20 years, firefighters said.
The incident began around 8:30 p.m., when a thunderstorm raked the city with rain and wind. The victims had waded out to the lighthouse, but waves and rough water prevented them from returning, firefighters said.
Big waves churned up by the storm crashed over the breakwater, frightening the victims, firefighters said. One the victims used a cellular telephone to call for help. The Coast Guard was notified, as were city police and firefighters.
Conneaut’s historic lighthouse sits nearly a mile offshore, but the southwest corner of the harbor is filled with sand, allowing people to wade in the shallow water to the wall that leads to the light.