Sheriff's Office • 100 North Fifth Avenue West • Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2340 • www.stlouiscountymn.gov
Gordon Ramsay
Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 12-30-2024
Media Contact: Sgt. Wayne Toewe
(218) 312-0231
Side by Side (UTV) through the ice on Lake Kabetogama
On Monday December 30th at approximately 6:30 P.M. St. Louis County Sheriff's Deputies and Kabetogama area first responders were notified of a tracked side by side (UTV) that was pulling a fish house, had broken though the ice on Lake Kabetogama within Voyagers National Park.
The lone occupant, a 64-yr old male from the Kabetogama area, was navigating across a pressure ridge pulling his fish house when the side by side broke through the ice without warning. The driver was partially submerged while inside of the UTV but was able to escape though the removable windshield and on to stable ice. The driver was ultimately picked up by members of a rescue contingent and brought to shore where he was evaluated by International Falls Ambulance service for exposure and other minor injuries, before being released to family.
The Sheriff's Office would like to remind the public that due to the recent mild temperatures and rainfall, that it has affected the area ice conditions.
Some helpful tips to enjoy a safe winter season on the ice include:
-Don't go alone, take a cell phone with you if available, and make sure someone knows where you are and when you're to return.
-Don't travel on lakes in areas you're not familiar with, don't travel at night or during reduced visibility.
-Avoid inlets, outlets, pressure ridges, or narrows that may have current under it that can thin the ice.
-Carry some basic safety gear, to include ice picks, life jacket / float coat, and a length of rope.
Be safe, be cautious, and enjoy your winter lake activities.
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