Vehicle Falls Through Ice On Fox Lake

(Fox Lake) The Fox Lake Fire Department is stressing the importance of understanding thin ice conditions in the wake of an incident Saturday Morning where two men escaped injury when their vehicle broke through the thin ice of Fox Lake.  Occurring near Maple Point, the men were driving a full size 2500 series pick-up truck with attached plow, which quickly fell to the bottom of the lake, unable to be supported by the thin ice.  Both men were able to escape the vehicle and were transported back to the Boathouse wit the help of another fisherman.  Neither of the men were injured with only one getting a bit wet from the frigid lake water.  The Fox Lake Fire Department’s Ice Rescue Team and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene, where Fire Chief Aaron Paul says they were thankful that the team didn’t have to go out and rescue anyone in this very cold weather.  Chief Paul urges those who are venturing out on our local lakes to contact local bait shops or business owners that might be aware of dangerous areas on the water.

Occurrences like this stress the importance of understanding ice conditions and knowing to never consider ice to be safe even in cold weather.  Springs, dams, and aeration equipment on the lakes can make for hidden areas of thin ice which can be extremely dangerous if you are unfamiliar with their locations.  Emergency Management officials wish to remind the public that ice conditions can change hourly, and that many individuals die every year from falling through the ice.  Chief Paul also stressed that incidents like this can also put the lives of many rescuers in danger also.

If you witness someone fall through the ice call for help immediately, do not attempt to go onto the ice to save the person or you may become another victim, instead find an object to throw or extend to the victim. When reporting the emergency identify exactly where you are standing and try to identify surrounding points that may help to locate exactly where the victim fell through, this will help rescuers if the victim slips beneath the ice or water.