Rescuers in Minnesota were called to a dramatic scene on Friday night as 122 fishermen were left trapped on an ice floe after it broke away from the shore.
Dramatic footage shows the crews working in a blizzard in the dark as they came to the aid of those trapped.
Four people fell into the frosty water as they attempted to canoe to safety before being dragged out of the icy water.
Nobody was seriously injured, Beltrami Country sheriff’s office said.
Minnesota rescuers were scrambled
KELLIHER FIRE AND RESCUE
The alarm was raised at 4:57pm on Friday by a group ice-fishing on Upper Red Lake, 200 miles north east of the North Dakota city of Fargo.
Rescuers reached the group at 6:40pm using boats and hovercraft before turning their attention to the four who had fallen into the water.
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Minnesota rescuers were scrambled
KELLIHER FIRE AND RESCUE
Over the course of an hour, the rest were taken to dry land, with everybody rescued by 7:37pm.
Ice is not as thick as usual on the lake, prompting a flurry of incidents in recent weeks.
On December 17, 35 people had to be rescued from the lake by hovercraft in a similar situation.
The lack of ice solidity has led to the sheriff of Beltrami County, Jason Riggs, warning people that the ice was unseasonably thin.
“Most years, the ice would be thick enough by now for vehicles and wheelhouses, and we’d be seeing a steady procession of them heading north”, he said.
“But this year isn't 'most years,' and the ice is changing constantly.
“It's absolutely vital that anyone who heads out checks the thickness frequently, pays close attention to the weather, and has a plan in case the worst happens and they wind up in the water.”
Sheriffs said on Thursday that at least three groups of fishermen have been rescued from the ice since December 17.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued multiple warnings about poor ice conditions, citing wind, rain and warm weather.
“Many of us love to spend the New Year's holiday with family and friends on the ice,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division.
“But when it comes to ice conditions, the calendar doesn't matter.”
