Fisher rescued after falling through ice at Onota Lake
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10)-- An ice fisher was rescued after falling through the ice at Onota Lake Tuesday. Pittsfield Fire Department said the fisher and a firefighter were hospitalized for hypothermia.
On Tuesday, around 7:45 a.m., The Pittsfield Fire Department responded to reports of an ice fisherman through the ice. An initial report said the fisherman was out of the water but fell through again and in distress when the fire department was en route.
According to the fire department, upon arrival, two fishermen were seen about 100 yards off the boat launch at Burbank Park, with one angler in the water. As rescuers approached the fisherman, a section of ice reportedly broke off and they fell into the water.
Pittsfield Fire reported one of the rescuers cold-water suits failed but they were able to secure the fisherman into an ice sled and remove him from the water. Both the fisher and the firefighter were transported to the Berkshire Medical Center to be treated for hypothermia.
According to the department, both are expected to make a full recovery. The rescue was considered a "manpower intensive operation."
The fire department was assisted by Pittsfield Police and responded to the scene with mulitple crews. The Berkshire County Dive Team was called on stand-by.
The department is reminding fishers to be safe on the ice and to always consider the ice potentially dangerous.
"Fluctuating temperatures and flowing water degrade ice conditions," the department said. "When venturing onto ice, it should always be considered as potentially dangerous. It is also important to know that newly frozen ice is actually stronger than old ice."
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