Anglers rescued by boat and helicopter

UPDATE: Two anglers were rescued by boat and two by a Search and Rescue helicopter team out of Trenton.

Constable Aaron Miller reports the incident – a third in less than a week in the region – happened shortly after 5 p.m. Feb. 21.

“Four men had been out fishing on the ice of Wellers Bay, nearly a kilometre from shore in the Consecon area. The ice they were on separated from shore, leaving them no way to get back.”

Officers with the Prince Edward County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment, along with officers from the Quinte West Detachment, OPP Emergency Response Team and OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) team responded to the scene when a concerned resident reported the incident.

“Prince Edward Fire and Rescue responded and was able to rescue two of the men using a boat. A helicopter from 424 Search and Rescue Squadron at CFB Trenton was dispatched by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and its crew was able to rescue the other two men and bring them to shore.”

There have been several recent incidents across eastern Ontario involving people falling through the ice, including one which resulted in the deaths of two people.

“The OPP continues to stress that no ice is safe ice. The winter weather has not been typical and ice conditions have been unpredictable and inconsistent.”

Prince Edward County Fire Chief Chad Brown notes people out on the ice should ensure they have the necessary gear and monitor conditions to prevent unnecessary risk. He added that “Anyone rescued off the ice may be responsible for the associated response costs.”