Snowmobiler Rescued After Falling Through Icy Oakland County Lake: Sheriff

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, MI — A man was rescued from an icy Waterford Township lake after his snowmobile fell through the ice and into the water Wednesday, according to sheriff's officials.

Officials said the man was riding a snowmobile on Pleasant Lake at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday when it broke through the ice.

The man's wife called 911 while two neighbors went onto the icy lake to try and find him, officials said.

Officials said the neighbors quickly became lost and disoriented due to whiteout conditions. They were able to safely return to shore, officials said.

Rescue crews eventually found the snowmobiler and were able to safety bring him to shore, officials said.

He was taken to a St. Joseph Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia and injuries, officials said.

The snowmobile was also pulled from the water, officials said.

"This incident is a stark reminder that ice conditions can change rapidly and remain unpredictable, even during sustained cold weather," sheriff's officials said in a statement. "We encourage extreme caution around 'frozen' lakes and ponds and to avoid traveling on ice unless conditions are clearly known to be safe."