Friends Help Rescue Ice Fisherman Who Fell Through Ice Into Pistakee Bay Near McHenry

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

An ice fisherman was transported to the hospital for hypothermia after he fell through the ice on Pistakee Bay near McHenry and was rescued by his friends.

The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded around 5 p.m. Friday to the 2800 block of Regner Road in unincorporated McHenry for a report of a water rescue.

McHenry Township Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Ryan Mastandrea said crews received a report of an ice fisherman who fell through the ice into the water.

Multiple people were attempting to rescue the victim while firefighters were en route.

The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was requested to be activated to bring numerous fire departments and special equipment to the scene but it was quickly canceled before it was dispatched.

Mastandrea said the man was rescued by his friends and was being walked to shore when emergency crews arrived.

The fisherman was “pretty far” out on the lake toward the middle of the bay, Mastandrea said.

Paramedics transported the man to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry for treatment of hypothermia.

A neighbor in the area said the fisherman was walking behind two other people, who did not initially see him fall through the ice.

“My neighbor was outside and alerted them they were under and the two were able to get him out. Rescue showed up shortly after,” the neighbor said, cautioning people to watch out for thin ice.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.