Members of the Haliburton Highlands detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to three snowmobiles going through the ice – on Gull Lake and Miskwabi Lake – Jan. 18.
One person was injured and OPP used the incidents to remind the public that no ice is safe ice.
Police said that on Saturday, just after 2 p.m., officers, with the assistance of the Minden Hills fire department, Haliburton County EMS and City of Kawartha Lakes EMS paramedics, responded to two snowmobiles that went through the ice on Gull Lake near Schaefers Road in Minden Hills.
“Officers learned that one snowmobile driver had gone into the lake with their machine and was able to get out and onto the ice,” OPP said. “A second driver had their snowmobile break through the ice but was able to remain on the ice and not go in the water. Good Samaritans attempted to rescue these parties but were not successful,” OPP said.
Minden Hills fire department members attended the scene with their rapid deployment craft (RDC). Firefighters were able to rescue the two persons from the ice, approximately 800 ft. from shore with the assistance of Haliburton OPP officers and paramedics. “Luckily, neither of the riders were injured as a result of the incident,” police said.
They added that almost all recreational activities involve some risk, especially the use of frozen lakes, rivers and streams. However, “it is important to remember that what appears to be frozen could, in fact, be ice that is not capable of supporting any weight at all.
“It’s critically important to determine the quality and thickness of ice before venturing onto it. Ice can change very quickly, and its appearance can be misleading. No ice goes without risks and snowmobiling over frozen bodies of water poses a significantly larger risk,” police said.
Meanwhile, OPP were dispatched to a snowmobiler that had gone through the ice on Miskwabi Lake in Dysart et al this past Saturday as well.
Officers, along with the Dysart fire department and Haliburton County EMS paramedics attended the area, “as multiple reports were received that a snowmobiler was yelling for help, stating that they were in the water,” OPP said.
OPP added Dysart fire department members utilized their ice/cold water rescue to search the lake for the person.
“Firefighters were able to locate the victim who was in open water and was pulled to safety and brought to shore. The victim suffered from hypothermia and was transported to hospital by Haliburton County Paramedic Service (HCPS).” They were later transferred to a Toronto-area trauma centre to receive further treatment.
According to a Jan. 20 media release, officers were continuing to investigate, and reminded residents, cottagers, contractors and any other potential ice surface users, to stay clear of area water surfaces “as very little ice, if any, has formed due to abnormal weather conditions.
“The lack of ice and vast areas of open water is creating possible dangerous situations for you and responding emergency services personnel. Every year, needless preventable tragedies occur on water and ice surfaces, and emergency services are counting on you to make that decision to stay off the ice,” OPP said.
They added any ice surface user must remember that no ice is safe ice and that any travel on the current water/ice surface conditions – if any ice should even exist – should only be done while wearing proper survival clothing, having a fully charged cell phone, and telling a friend, neighbour, family member or work supervisor, of their destination.
Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) president, Neil Vanderstoop, reiterated, “no ice is safe ice. If it’s not staked, don’t go on it.”
People can check out the list of staked lakes on the HCSA website.
Vanderstoop said conditions in the bush are also challenging. “We’re still breaking through all kinds of places.”
He also asked sledders to abide by speed limits, and stop signs.
Vehicle break-ins
OPP said they are also currently investigating multiple thefts from vehicles in Minden Hills.
On Jan. 17, they said they responded to numerous calls reporting thefts from vehicles that had occurred overnight. Suspects entered vehicles in the areas of Ritchie Falls Road and Sedgwick Road.
“Suspects entered the vehicles and had stolen numerous items from the unlocked vehicles,” police said.
Haliburton OPP is asking residents in these areas to check their security cameras for any suspicious activity and report it to police.
Vehicle owners are reminded to always lock your vehicles and close the windows. Unlocked vehicles, and vehicles with valuables visible, are the first vehicles targeted. Perpetrators incur more risk of being observed, being identified, and getting caught if they are forced to physically break into vehicles,” OPP said.
