East Algoma OPP – Emergency Services respond to snowmobile through ice on Boxing Day

On December 26, 2020, shortly after 1:33 p.m., members from the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Algoma District Paramedic Services, and the Spanish Fire Department responded to a person that went through the ice with his snowmobile in Vance Bay, Lake Huron near the Town of Spanish. The 23-year-old snowmobiler was in the water for approximately 15 minutes before being rescued by a friend and two other civilians fishing in the area. The person was transported to local hospital in Blind River for hyperthermia. The Ministry of Environment was notified of the snowmobile resting on the lake bed in approximately 30 to 40 feet of water.

The OPP is warning snowmobilers that recent and current mild conditions have not helped with ice conditions and not taking the necessary precautions can quickly result in tragedy. No ice is “safe ice”. Underlying water currents or air pockets can create thin ice, even in the coldest temperatures. Snowmobilers can’t see this until it’s too late.

For further information on safe snowmobiling and trails in Ontario, please see the OFSC or OPP websites at: www.ofsc.on.ca    or  www.opp.ca

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OPP

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide policing services throughout Ontario. Our officers are responsible for policing over one million square kilometres of land and waterways. They provide frontline policing services to more than 320 Ontario municipalities and patrol over 126,000 kilometres of provincial roadways.

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