A New Year’s Eve outing on a frozen Michigan lake nearly turned deadly after a snowmobile plunged through the ice, leaving a 71-year-old man fighting for his life in frigid water for nearly an hour.
Just before 6 p.m. on December 31, the man’s snowmobile broke through the ice on Pleasant Lake in Waterford Township. The incident triggered a multi-agency emergency response in bitter cold, snowfall, and darkness.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was submerged waist-deep in freezing water near a marshy section of the lake. Despite the conditions, he managed to reach his cellphone and call his wife, who immediately contacted 911.
“He was in the water, submerged about waist-deep,” said Brian Burwell, the lieutenant who leads the county’s Search and Rescue Team. “The snowmobile was under the ice, and he had crashed through on one side of the lake near a marsh in the area.”
Rescue in Extreme Conditions
Search and rescue deputies, along with Waterford police officers and firefighters, entered the icy lake in low visibility to locate the man. Authorities say two nearby neighbors also attempted to go onto the ice to help, but were unable to safely reach him before first responders arrived.
Firefighters with the Waterford Fire Department ultimately pulled the man from the freezing water, ending a rescue operation that officials say came down to minutes.
Burwell said the victim had been in the lake for approximately 45 minutes.
“If he hadn’t had his phone, he most likely would not have survived,” Burwell said.
A Stark Warning About Ice Safety
The incident has prompted renewed warnings from authorities about traveling on frozen lakes, especially as ice thickness can vary dramatically from one area to another.
“Know before you go,” Burwell emphasized. “If you don’t know the thickness of that ice, don’t go out there. For foot traffic you’re looking at about four inches. For snowmobiles and ATVs, about six inches of ice.”
Neighbors told local media that the man is frequently on the lake with his snowmobile and had checked ice conditions earlier. However, officials stress that ice does not freeze uniformly.
“You’ve got to remember, ice doesn’t freeze the same on all parts of the lake,” Burwell said. “Just because you might have three or four inches on one side doesn’t mean it’s the same thickness elsewhere.”
Marshy areas, in particular, are known to have weaker ice due to water movement and vegetation beneath the surface.
Recovery and Aftermath
After the rescue, the man was transported to St. Joseph Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. Authorities say he is recovering and expected to be okay.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is using the incident as a reminder during peak winter recreation season, urging residents to carry communication devices, wear flotation gear, and avoid riding alone on frozen lakes.
As Burwell noted, preparation and caution can mean the difference between survival and tragedy when winter ice gives way without warning.
