Two people rescued after falling through thin ice

Beaver Dam emergency crews worked fast to rescue a person that had fallen through thin ice Friday afternoon, December 8, 2023, on Beaver Dam Lake.

At about 4:30 PM the Beaver Dam Fire Department was dispatched to Waterworks Park for the incident.

Fire Department personnel responded including the departments’ hovercraft and a medic unit. While units were enroute the Beaver Dam Police Officers on scene found the individual about 100 yards from shore. Officers used their drone to get a better vantage point of where the person was.

Upon arrival, a firefighter wearing an ice rescue suit made their way onto the ice and made contact with the individual while Another member deployed the hovercraft. The individual was rescued out of the water at approximately 4:45 and was off the lake at 4:49 pm. They were provided medical care and evaluation by Beaver Dam Paramedics and transported by a private vehicle to Marshfield Medical Center Beaver Dam.

Also on Friday, Wausau Police rescued a man that fell through some thin ice on the Wisconsin River. Just before noon, police got a call about the man climbing over a fence at the Wausau Airport.

The man ran across the runway and into a wooded area where police were searching for him. Minutes later another call came in saying the man had fallen through the ice near by.

Emergency crews launched boats onto the ice and fire fighters in wet suits rescued the man from the water. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Local emergency authorities are stressing the importance of knowing the depth and quality of the ice before venturing out to ice fish or conduct other recreational activities. After Tuesday, the forecasted high each day gets above freezing so ice will continue to be unfavorable for activities.