Woman Videotaping Lake Conditions Sees Man Go Through Ice, Calls 911

MCHENRY, IL — It may have been a case of being in the right place at the right time.

On Jan. 10, a woman happened to be outside taking video of the conditions on Pistakee Bay when she saw an ice fisherman go through the ice unbeknownst to anyone else on the ice or near him, said Kevin Sears, battalion chief with the McHenry Township Fire Protection District

"The homeowner started yelling to others on the ice that did not know he went under, and she immediately called 911," Sears said.

Bystanders were able to get the man out from the water and back onto the ice. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, he was standing — about 400 feet from shore — on thin ice at the edge of a large open water fissure that was running through the middle of the bay, Sears said.

He was fully submerged at one point, Sears said, and he was transported to the hospital in fair condition.

While emergency crews are hopeful no more similar incidents will be reported this winter, Sears did provide some advice to those who may witness a person go through the ice.

"One thing that is important to note is if someone is witnessed breaking through ice going into the water, yell to have someone immediately call 911 while a second person maintains visual contact with the victim to act as a reference for 'last seen' point once first responders arrive," Sear said.

Once you've called for help, it's important to shout to the victim to reassure them that emergency crews are on the way.

"If you can safely reach them from shore, extend an object like a rope, jumper cable, tree branch, or ladder," said Sears, adding that you should toss one end to the victim to help him have something to hold onto.