2 snowmobilers rescued from the Croix today. Seen the rescue rigs coming off the river on my way home from work across the river today. Guys went through near the king plant. Ive noticed people going places on the river Ive never seen people go before. I knew it wouldnt be long before a rescue would be coming this year. Be careful out there people it is a river after all. Be aware of where the springs and open water are.
Just read that one 22 year old died going through that same spot.
Only 1 guy went in, and he died. It’s sad, but he drove right past the signs into open water! In daylight!
UPDATED (4 p.m., Feb. 16, 2013): A 22-year-old man died today after his snowmobile went through the ice on the St. Croix River in Bayport.
The man, who law enforcement has not yet identified, was unconscious when first responders arrived. He was transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiners Office and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
—
UPDATE (1:42 p.m., Feb. 16, 2013): According to Washington County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Daniel Starry, just one snowmobiler — not two as originally reported — went through the ice.
Starry said a witness called in the report at 11:54 a.m., and multiple agencies, including the Washington County Dive Team, reported to the scene. One unconscious man was pulled from the water and taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
It appears the snowmobiler rode through open water about 75 yards off the shore, near Point Road in Bayport, Starry said.
“It’s always open water there, and there are signs all over,” Starry told the Pioneer Press. “I mean, he went right past the signs.”
The incident remains under investigation.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Stillwater, Oak Park Heights and Bayport police departments, the Washington County Dive Team and Bayport Fire Department responded to the scene.
First responders got the air boat to the scene pretty quick, Starry said.
“Everyone should heed the warning signs be careful out on the ice, especially on the St. Croix River, but also on all the lakes in the county,” Starry said.
In my years of riding high performance sleds open water was always a major temptation. We knew where it was and loved going across it. Do not know the situation today, and is very sad a young man lost his life.
People don’t realize how dangerous snowmobiling is. It is amazing I am here to write this looking back at all the stupid things we pulled off having a good time
I don’t want to damper the solemn thread, but why do they say he went through the ice when it sounds like he sunk in open water. When i hear a story like this my reaction is that the ice is not safe, but this is clearly not the case?
I am guessing given the area he was in , which is clearly posted THIN ICE and you can see the open water, that he was trying to do some water skipping with his sled. Probably best to practice this over 3-4 FOW not 40 FOW
The other guy that died went in by Pine City.
These are tragic events that although sad, could very well have been prevented. Unfortunately we humans fall into the “it’s never happened before” phase. As a former South Metro area Sheriff’s diver and over 19 yrs as a medic I can tell you it is not a matter of “it’s never happened before” but is a fact that it just has not happened yet. Each of us as individuals if asked what our perception of risk is would come up with just as many answers as there are people. Some like to sky dive or race, others like to not touch them with a 10 ft pole. Such a shame that those boys could not have thought out their decisions before hand. River and or ice diving are the most dangerous of any kind of diving and I feel for both the boys families, as well as all the EMS responders who reported to the scenes. I have been out of EMS for about 8 yrs now but I know it is hard on them. Having been the one to inform family members that their loved one did not make it even with all my efforts, it is unbearable for families. It is not an undertaking I would wish on my worst enemy.
All of us who enjoy the winter sports please take care and be “aware” of your surroundings. Most of all, be safe and have fun.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
