A nearby boater rescued the family, pulling them into his boat as theirs spun close by. Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department firefighters jumped into the unmanned boat to shut it down in a scene looking like it was in an action movie. Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad treated the family before transporting three to Adirondack Medical Center.

Jim Bolinsky, of Lake Placid, was putting his boat into the water for a day out with his family when he saw the boat suddenly turn sharply, partially capsize, dump its occupants into the lake and circle with its propeller dangerously close. His partner, Pam Hockenberger, said it was terrifying as she watched from the shore as he sped over and pulled the family, including a young child, out of the water and into his boat.

Hockenberger was thankful Bolinsky got them out quickly.

But the driverless boat was still spinning circles near Pontiac Bay, keeping a tight radius, but traveling at a pretty high speed.

Saranac Lake firefighters approach an empty boat which was erratically driving in circles on Lake Flower on Friday. The boat occupants had been dumped in the water and a nearby boater had pulled them out of harm’s way into his boat. Firefighters were eventually able to board and shut down the runaway boat. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

Firefighters drove out in a boat and threw a line onto the runaway boat, reeling it in. It was still jumping around in circles as SLVFD firefighter Michael Knapp leapt from a fire department boat into the unmanned one to shut off the motor. Boaters and onlookers at Riverside Park who were watching the whole scene applauded him for bringing the boat under control.

Bolinsky said the boaters were “banged up,” but didn’t appear seriously injured. At the boat launch, they were bloodied from lacerations.

The Enterprise was not able to find updates on their condition as of Sunday.

Hockenberger was tearful as she told the Enterprise about Bolinsky’s actions.

“We’re here for a reason,” Hockenberger said. “He’s a hero.”

Saranac Lake firefighters approach an empty boat which was erratically driving in circles on Lake Flower on Friday. The boat occupants had been dumped in the water and a nearby boater had pulled them out of harm’s way into his boat. Firefighters were eventually able to board and shut down the runaway boat. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

SLVFD was called out at 6:37 p.m. with one truck, one boat and eight members. They were back in service at 7:35 p.m.

Saranac Lake firefighters rope in an empty boat as it erratically circles around them on Lake Flower on Friday. The boat occupants had been dumped in the water and a nearby boater had pulled them out of harm’s way into his boat. Firefighters were eventually able to board and shut down the runaway boat. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

Saranac Lake firefighters Rick Yorkey, left, and Michael Knapp return to shore after Knapp jumped from a firefighting boat into a driverless boat which was spinning erratically in middle of Lake Flower on Friday. The boat occupants had been dumped in the water and a nearby boater had pulled them out of harm’s way into his boat. Yorkey got up close and Knapp was able to board and shut down the runaway boat. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

Saranac Lake firefighters Rick Yorkey, left, and Michael Knapp return to shore after Knapp jumped from a firefighting boat into a driverless boat which was spinning erratically in middle of Lake Flower on Friday. The boat occupants had been dumped in the water and a nearby boater had pulled them out of harm’s way into his boat. Yorkey got up close and Knapp was able to board and shut down the runaway boat. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)