The  coordinated  efforts of four local safety and law enforcement agencies saved five people in the water in Lake Washington at 12:30 a.m. on Friday morning.

Earlier, two boats had collided in the darkness between Mercer Island and Newcastle Beach, causing one to sink to the bottom of the lake.

A 26-foot power boat with five people aboard collided with a 22-foot fishing boat with two people aboard, said Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) Comdr. Leslie Burns. All five occupants of the power boat were thrown into the water. One was able to call 911, and reported that not all of the boaters were wearing life jackets, one was struggling and the boat was sinking.

The call triggered a rescue response by the King County Sheriff’s Office, MIPD, the Seattle Police Harbor Patrol and Renton firefighters, who arrived on scene 14 minutes after receiving the call. King County Sheriff’s Guardian One helicopter spotted the five people in the water and illuminated them with its spotlight while rescuers pulled them from the waters. Another boater nearby also was able to help in the rescue.

The five rescued boaters—all in their 20s—were taken to the Mercer Island boat launch, where they were treated for minor injuries and hypothermia by Island firefighters.

The power boat sank. The fishing boat and its two occupants made it safely to Bellevue and were contacted by Bellevue Police.

The King County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol unit assisted in locating the power boat. Mercer Island divers went down and marked it. It was then brought to the surface and transported to Donato’s ship yard in Kenmore, Burns said.

It isn’t clear if alcohol or drug impairment played a factor in the collision. The investigation is ongoing, Burns said.