Two separate incidents on Friday (February 2) involving motorized vehicles going through lake ice in the Haliburton area have resulted in one man having his driver’s licence suspended.
In the first incident at 4:45 p.m. on Friday, officers from the Haliburton Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) — with the assistance of Minden Hills Fire Department, Algonquin Highlands Fire Department, and Haliburton County Paramedic Services — responded to a report of a snowmobile and an ATV that had gone through the ice on Twelve Mile Lake in the Township of Minden Hills.
Four men were travelling together on a snowmobile and ATV to drill holes for ice fishing when they broke through thin ice.
Three of the four men were able to pull themselves out of the water, while a bystander threw a rope out to the fourth man and was able to pull him out of the water. Paramedics transported all four men to the local hospital for precautionary reasons.
In the second incident at 9:20 p.m. on Friday, the OPP and emergency services responded to a call that a side-by-side vehicle had gone through the ice on Boshkung Lake in the Township of Algonquin Highlands.
The male driver and the three male passengers had entered the water, but were able to extricate themselves and made their way to shore prior to the arrival of emergency services. None of the four men was injured.
Upon speaking with the 35-year-old driver, officers had determined he had been consuming alcohol. Following a warn range result at the roadside test, officers issued a three-day driver’s licence suspension.
The Haliburton Highlands OPP are reminding the public that no ice is safe ice and to avoid driving on frozen lakes and rivers. Water that may usually be open could appear to be frozen due to a drop in temperature. If it can’t be avoided, check ice conditions before heading out. Always be prepared and travel with safety equipment in the event of an emergency: wear a floater suit and carry ice picks and make sure they are accessible.
Police are also reminding the public to never drive impaired. Alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription or over-the-counter drugs can slow your reaction time and affect your ability to make good decisions. If convicted of impaired driving on a snowmobile, you will lose your driving privileges for all types of vehicles — including motor vehicles, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles.
