Runaway paddleboat passengers rescued

JANESVILLE — Janesville firefighters pulled two stranded Janesville boys from the Rock River near the Traxler Park boat landing Wednesday afternoon.

The boys had no idea they were heading toward a dam at Centerway Bridge, Acting Lt. Dan Wichser said.

The boys were reported behind Parker Community Credit Union, 1101 N. Parker Drive at 3:45 p.m.

Emergency responders launched a rubber rescue boat from the Sherman Avenue boat launch and shouted to the boys to encourage them out of the current and toward the shore, Wischser said.

'They paddled their little fannies off,' he said. The boys found the boat washed onto shore, Wichser said.

Officials caution that floodwaters continue to be dangerous