MINNEISKA — Authorities say two people survived a close call when their boat got too close to a dam on the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota.

Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude says Christopher James Heim, of Eyota, and Sarah Mae Irish, of Plainview, were fishing below Lock and Dam 5 at Minneiska Wednesday evening when they lifted anchor to leave but the motor wouldn’t start. The undertow sucked the boat toward the dam.

But the sheriff says the 20-year-olds were able to throw the anchor over a gate to avoid getting sucked under, while a lock employee launched a boat and rescued them. There were no injuries and no damage to either boat.

The sheriff warns boaters to stay well back from the dam or risk being pulled in.