A Meherrin man was rescued from a private watershed pond in the 2000 block of Rice Creek Road in Prince Edward County and treated for hypothermia after the boat he was fishing in capsized on Thursday, Jan. 2, around 2 p.m.

According to a release from the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Department, Arthur Haskins and his brother were in a boat when a gust of wind caused the boat to overturn.

“One man was able to swim to shore and call for help. From where the boats can be put in, the male who was rescued was about a quarter of a mile away. It is estimated that he had been in the water for approximately an hour and a half,” the release stated.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, the terrain around the lake is difficult to traverse due to trees and briars, so it took around an hour for the initial 911 call to be placed.

According to Prince Edward County Rescue Squad Captain Andrew Waters, Haskins had become submerged in the water chest deep when he was rescued.

“We believe he was holding onto part of the boat that had not submerged,” said Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Raleigh Cooper. “He was not treading water due to the fact he was not a swimmer.”

Cooper further stated, “A firefighter brought his boat to the scene, and he, along with EMS personnel, were able to reach the man and safely rescue him from the cold water. He was then brought ashore, and EMS took over caring for the patient and transported him to Centra Southside Community Hospital.”

The Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department, Meherrin Volunteer Fire Department, Virginia State Police, The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Prince Edward County Rescue Squad and Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Department responded to the incident.

“The rescue was a great example of teamwork among several agencies working together to bring a successful conclusion to the incident,” said Prince Edward County Sheriff Tony Epps.