Family Saved From Icy Pond Reminds Us To Use Caution On The Ice

With fresh snow fall all over the state many snowmobile enthusiasts are heading out on trails and lakes. One lucky man and his 12 year old daughter and her friend were rescued just yesterday after falling through the ice on a snowmobile. This reminds all of us how important it is to always practice safe snowmobiling.

According to wardens quotes in the BDN:

A man and two 12-year-old girls were rescued Wednesday after his snowmobile fell through the ice of Long Pond on Mount Desert Island.

Eli Strauss, 43, his daughter Julia and her friend, Jolie Beal, were being treated for moderate to severe hypothermia at Mount Desert Island Hospital. Firefighters found the girls in woods and Strauss near ledges that entered the water on the southeastern shore, in Southwest Harbor, Maine Warden Service Cpl. John MacDonald said.

And although the family suffered hypothermia because they had followed some simple rules their lives were saved.  For one they had an expected return time which when they missed is Eli Strauses' wife call the wardens.  He had apparently had told her where they were going to sled as well giving the responders the best chance of finding them.

 Snowtracks recommends:

• Wearing light layers
• Not going alone
• Filing a plan and return time
• Stop when you see another sledder stopped to assist if needed
• and more...

Thank heavens this story had a happy ending.  Make sure that yours does too and prepare properly before you head out for winter fun.