Immediate Help Needed

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Ishoot:

Have the ice conditions substantially deteriorated on most of the lake or were you just unfortunate to hit an unusually thin spot? Did you jump out of the vehicle as it was falling through the ice or was the vehicle stationary and unoccupied? Also, how much did the recovery cost? I'm glad you are okay and hopefully the person you were helping out was appreciative. Good luck!!

Hi S.C.;

No the ice conditions have not deteriorated and are just fine. There was 16" of ice around where I went through. What happened is we went to help a friend of a friend who called us at my camp on Welch island. He had attempted to cross a pressure ridge and the front end of his ATV went in the water and he could not get it out. This pressure ridge runs from Locke's island all the way to Belknap Point. We found a safe place to cross it just an hour or so before when we were heading out to my camp.

Anyway, when we got to the ATV in trouble I had to get to the other side of the ridge to try and pull him out. I decided to go where I safely crossed just an hour prior. When I got to that spot and attempted to cross I went through. The ice had apparently shifted some in that hours time and caused cracks and weakened the area I had crossed safely just before. I was able to get the door of the ranger opened slightly enough to get my body out and I literally propelled myself out on to the ice. Don't ask me how as I am not a small man whatsoever! My passenger and friend was not as lucky as the ice made it impossible for him to open his door. I had to get on my hands and knees and literally grab him by the arm and pull him out my door as the vehicle was sinking. It's amazing the strength you have in a situation like this! All of this took place in about 5-7 seconds before the ranger was on the bottom. My passenger got wet from the waist down and I was dry as bone.

I have asked myself if there was anything I would of done differently in this same situation and the answer keeps coming up no except maybe keeping the doors open on the Ranger. I consider myself to be an extremely safe and level headed person. I don't take unnecessary chances. This is just one of those things that can occur when your out on the ice. I will be back out next weekend and hopefully this trip won't be as eventful!

Oh yeah...The ATV was pulled out without an issue!

Dan