Search and Rescue Team involed in rescue mission.
On March 27, 2012, shortly after 8pm, Steinbach RCMP received a call that about a dozen American ice fishermen were stranded on Lake of the Woods near Birch Point on an ice flow.
Steinbach RCMP in conjunction with RCMP Search and Rescue Team, The Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner, Lake of the Woods Search and Rescue and Piney Fire Department responded and conducted the rescue operation.
While the fishermen were not far away from shore, conditions were deemed unsafe as they were surrounded by water. In addition, a west wind was blowing the ice flow away from shore.
By about 3am, using a fanboat (aka airboat), making several trips to shore, over water, slush and ice, all 13 stranded ice fishermen were safely taken off the ice flow.
The ice fisherman had made their way out onto the lake to go fish since about noon yesterday with quads. However, ice conditions quickly deteriorated as the day went on.
No injuries were reported and efforts will continue to recover the anglers equipment.
RCMP would like to warn the public to stay off all water bodies since unseasonable warm weather is creating very dangerous ice conditions.
