4 people ice fishing fall through ice

HALIBURTON — Four more people have gone through the ice here in Haliburton County.

On Friday, Feb. 9, at about 3:40 a.m. provincial police from the Haliburton Highlands responded with the assistance of Dysart Fire Department and Haliburton County Paramedic Services to a call of an ATV that had gone through the ice in the narrows on Grass Lake in the Township of Minden Hills.

Four males had gone out ice fishing and were travelling together on two snowmobiles and an ATV when the ATV broke through thin ice.

Two of the four males were able to pull themselves out of the water while emergency responders extricated the two other males out of the water.

Three of the four males were transported to local hospital for hypothermia.

The 32-year-old male driver of the ATV was found to have been drinking alcohol. A three day licence suspension was served following a warn range result at the roadside.

This is the third incident in the last week resulting in a total of 12 people falling through thin ice in Haliburton County. In all three incidents none of the individuals were wearing floater suits or carrying ice picks.

The Haliburton Highlands OPP would like to remind the public that “No Ice is Safe Ice” and to avoid driving on frozen lakes and rivers.

Areas that may typically be open could appear to be frozen due to a drop in temperature.  If it can’t be avoided, check ice conditions beforehand, wear a floater suit and carry ice picks and make sure they are accessible. Always be prepared and travel with safety equipment in the event of an emergency.