Manistee County Sheriff’s deputies said that a snowmobiler was rescued after falling through the ice on Healy Lake.
Deputies said they were dispatched to the lake Friday around 4:30 p.m. after a male reported that he lost sight of his friend after he made a sweeping left turn on the lake while snowmobiling.
Conditions at the time were bad because of snow and wind, and there was almost zero visibility, deputies said. The male said he believed he saw a dark spot where his friend might have broke through the ice.
Deputies made contact with Healy Lake Campground Fire Department personnel on the other side of the lake, and they reported they could see a person about 85 yards from shore treading water.
Officials from the Norman Township Fire Department initiated ice rescue operations and were able to reach the area. However, conditions were so bad that they couldn’t get the man out of the water.
The Benzie County Sheriff’s Office assisted with an airboat not long after, and the boat was able to reach the man and bring him ashore.
The snowmobiler was transported to Munson Manistee Hospital, where he is reported to be awake and alert. Scientific American reports that in freezing water, a person can survive for 15 to 45 minutes, depending on a variety of factors.
Sheriff Brian Gutowski would like to remind everyone to be cautious of ice conditions and always ensure you operate your snowmobile in a safe manner.
The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Cleon Township Fire, Maple Grove Township Fire, Norman Township Fire, Bear Lake Township Fire, Frankfort Fire Station 4, the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Coast Guard, MMR EMS, and Manistee County Central Dispatch.
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