Heroes of the Week: Ellsworth, Maine Firefighters Rescue Boy from Frozen Lake /Ice Safety Reminders

This week's heroes are the men and women of the Ellworth Fire Department in Maine, who were called to rescue a boy who fell through ice on a lake in Maine. Today's blog is about that story, Plus,  ice safety points and a short video about when walking on lake ice is safe. 

WHAT ICE THICKNESS IS SAFE ON A LAKE FOR PEOPLE, VEHICLES? First, use caution. Stay off the ice if it's cracked or squishy at the shoreline. Also, dark snow and dark ice can indicate weak spots. According to Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, lake ice needs to be blue to clear. That indicates it is High density, very strong, and the safest ice to be on if thick enough. Stay off if under 4 inches (10cm) thick. 

• 4 inches: Safe for walking, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing, and can support about 200 pounds 
• 5 inches: Recommended for snowmobiles or ATVs, and can support about 800 pounds 
• 8 to 12 inches: Necessary for a small car 
• 12 to 15 inches: Necessary for trucks

Firefighters save boy's life after he falls through ice in Ellsworth, Maine 

Officials say the boy and three other kids ran away from a group home when they made their way across a marsh on Graham Lake and fell through the ice

WMTW-TV Dec 15, 2024, by Connor Clement

ELLSWORTH, Maine — The Maine Warden Service says members of the Ellsworth Fire Department saved a boy's life Sunday afternoon after he fell through the ice on Graham Lake in Ellsworth.

Officials say the boy and three other kids ran away from a group home when they made their way across a marsh on the lake and three fell through the ice.

The Maine Warden Service responded around 2:30 p.m. with nine wardens, including a K-9 unit and an airboat. A Warden Service airplane arrived within 20 minutes and spotted the kids from the air.

Two who fell through the ice were able to get out on their own, while the other was in the water until crews with the Ellsworth Fire Department pulled him out.

"Ellsworth Fire Department saved his life," Sgt. Alan Gillis of the Maine Warden Service said.

Three of the four kids were taken to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia. Gillis said all of them are expected to be OK.

The Ellsworth Police Department and the Mariaville Fire Department were also on the scene.

Gillis said this is another reminder that "ice is not safe to be on in many places." VIDEO FROM THE MAINE INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: https://youtu.be/30bwBccdKQI?si=CSnxyOl9Km7gf3-1