Police urge caution on area ice

News Release
O.P.P.

(Fort Frances, Ontario) On January 4th, at approximately 6:30 p.m. officers from the Emo Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police received a report that a 66 year-old man had fallen through the ice while operating his snow machine on Rainy Lake. The Fort Frances resident was returning from ice fishing in the area of Ottertail River at approximately 5:00 p.m. when the 2006, Yamaha Venture, snow machine he was operating went through the ice. He was able to free himself from the machine without sustaining any injuries, however, due to heavy fog in the area was unable to return to where his vehicle was parked at Old Station Road. The man was able to use his cell phone and contact a family member for assistance.
The OPP’s Emergency Response Team assisted by the K-9 unit and Koochiching County Sheriff’s office conducted a search throughout the evening and into the early morning hours. During this time the man was able to find his way to a cabin and notify his family and police as to his whereabouts.
The OPP would like to remind the public that due to mild temperatures ice conditions might have deteriorated. Please exercise extreme caution and check ice conditions prior to traveling across lakes and rivers.