Wisconsin icy lake incidents, safety reminders
There were at least three ice-related incidents that first responders were called to over the weekend in southeast Wisconsin.
Pewaukee Lake
What we know:
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department said a man died after he fell through the ice on Pewaukee Lake on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 25.
According to Lake Country Fire & Rescue, crews were called to the lake just after 3 p.m. for reports that a UTV operator had gone through the ice. Bystanders tried to rescue the person but lost sight of them.
Pewaukee Lake rescue; man dead, UTV fell through ice
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department said a man died after he fell through the ice on Pewaukee Lake on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 25.
The sheriff's department identified the person as a 61-year-old man and said he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
No ice is safe ice
Big picture view:
Lake Country Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Jeremy Wachtl reminds people if you're in a similar situation, don't get in the water to help, as it's dangerous.
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"All ice is never completely safe," Wachtl said.
If you're going on the ice, he says wear a floatation device, don't go alone, and have a way to call for help.
"All ice is never completely safe," Wachtl said.
Wachtl reminds people if you're in a similar situation, don't get in the water to help, as it's dangerous.
If you're going on the ice, he says wear a floatation device, don't go alone, and have a way to call for help and watch out for natural springs.
"The ice was actually relatively thick in most of the area but the immediate area where the ATV had gone through was relatively thin," he said.
More instances
What we know:
At Wind Lake, the Norway Fire Department said three men were rescued after their ATV went through the ice. One of those men was taken to the hospital.
Wind Lake ice rescue; 1 taken to hospital
The Norway Fire Department said three men were rescued after their UTV fell through the ice on Wind Lake on Saturday evening, Jan. 25.
Officials say this is the fifth vehicle to go through the ice this winter, blaming the natural springs.
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"It’s nothing you can see from the surface and until something happens – or you put a foot through – you’re not going to know it's thin when it is six-eight inches everywhere else," Wachtl said.
At Big Muskego Lake, another person on an ATV fell into open water, but the water was shallow. That person is okay.
The Source: Lake Country Fire and Rescue and past reporting contributed to this article.