A man was rescued from Shawnee Mission Park Lake Wednesday evening after being found in the water near the off-leash dog area.

Johnson County Park Police, Lenexa Fire and Johnson County Med-Act paramedics were called to the park at about 5:45 p.m.

Capt. James Ward, spokesperson for park police, said the call was dispatched as an “unknown medical emergency involving a possible person in the water.”

“Prior to the arrival of emergency personnel, a park visitor noticed a dog interacting with her dog,” Ward said in an emailed response to questions. “The visitor subsequently observed the dog’s owner, a male in his 60s, in the water and alerted emergency responders.”

Ward says the man was found to be unconscious when officers and firefighters arrived, but he had a pulse.

“Utilizing the Johnson County Park Police Department’s patrol boat, officers and Lenexa Fire Department personnel worked together to safely transport the male from the water to a nearby ambulance,” Ward said. “The male was subsequently transported to a local hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.”

Recorded radio traffic stated that the man was in critical condition when transported.

“Preliminary information suggests that the incident was accidental in nature, and there is no indication of foul play at this time,” Ward said.

A Post reporter spoke to the man’s brother on Thursday morning, who said that the family would like to thank the person who called for help, saying that person saved his brother’s life.

The Post is not naming the man or his family to maintain their privacy.

“He was not in great shape when they got him to the hospital, and if he was not found when he was, who knows when the next person would have come along,” the man’s brother said.

The man’s dog was reunited with family last night.