Unconfirmed possible fatality on Mille Lacs

Unconfirmed that a person was airlifted out after being found unresponsive and hyperthermic. Possible fatality. More on Mille Lac Facebook page.

That is awful. Where about on the lake? Any back story. I don’t have face book

From a post
Don’t quote me This is just what I heard from people that were present when the emergency personnel showed up.
A guys night turned bad. He was extremely intoxicated and wandered outside the fishhouse and passed out in the snow. It was a very cold night Friday night if any of you recall. Around -15 I Believe plus windchill and on the frozen lake. I heard he was found the next morning by his friends. Unresponsive and hypothermic. He was airlifted off the lake. Again this is only what I heard. So don’t get mad at me if I’m wrong.
My thoughts and prayers to this man and his family. It is a very sad situation. I do not want to be a “rumor spreader” I did hear this from a reliable source. However, my main point is that we should all be praying for this man and his friends and family. I can’t even imagine being in their shoes right now. So please don’t take this as gossip. Please take this as there is power in prayer you guys. And we all like to have fun once in awhile so don’t even think about passing judgement either. Just simply pray for this person and those that love him. Again. This is just what I heard.

Thats awful. Hope the best for everyone involved

Don’t even think about passing judgement? Yea right. Stupidity on all involved and they paid the price. Getting wasted in a dangerous environment whether piloting a plane, boat or extreme weather is ridiculously dangerous and to be avoided. We all have the freedom to do so but it’s highly inadvisable. Hope he makes it.

Facts we know…..

1) Somebody was airlifted from Mille Lacs.
2) It’s a sad situation.

Unconfirmed things we THINK happened.

1) Boys night out.
2) Left a fish house intoxicated.
3) Was found outside the following morning.

At this point it does no good to speculate. If we need to do something say a prayer for all involved plus their families.

That’s brutal. I’m honestly surprised that doesn’t happen more on some of the weekend wheelhouse lakes. Very sad.

It’s life, injury and death happens. We all do stupid things and others have nefarious ways. Why does one think this should be shared? It must be a Facebook thing.

Bearcat89 wrote:

That is awful. Where about on the lake? Any back story. I don’t have face book

Sounded like out of appledorns..

That’s terrible to hear. We all make mistakes Suzuki.

He was doing the right thing (drinking and staying on the lake). Take it a little easy on the guy.

Would you feel the same about someone doing the same thing at their own home?

Hoping he pulls through.

From an employee at Appledorns he was found in the morning outside in the snow by Appledorns staff. Looked to have fallen. Apparently it was requested by his wife to check on him every morning.

munchy wrote:

From an employee at Appledorns he was found in the morning outside in the snow by Appledorns staff. Looked to have fallen. Apparently it was requested by his wife to check on him every morning.

That’s an odd request by the wife. Known heavy drinker or possibly an older guy?

munchy wrote:

From an employee at Appledorns he was found in the morning outside in the snow by Appledorns staff. Looked to have fallen. Apparently it was requested by his wife to check on him every morning.

This is correct. The guy is in his mid to upper 70’s. He went outside to take a leak. Slipped & fell down & couldn’t get back up.

This same exact thing happened last year. I found him about 11:30pm laying in a snow bank right outside his front door of his skid house. The only reason I found him was my skid house was 3 houses down on the same plowed road. It was suspicious to me that the guys fish house door was left wide open for multiple hours. I went over to check on what was going on when I found him laying in -20 degree weather in just his street clothes. Not even any shoes on.

Sounds like, from what I was told by Kevin, the Appeldoorns Staff, the same thing happened again this year. Unfortunately, no one found him until his wife asked for him to be checked on..

Delete

Nodakk wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>munchy wrote:</div>
From an employee at Appledorns he was found in the morning outside in the snow by Appledorns staff. Looked to have fallen. Apparently it was requested by his wife to check on him every morning.

That’s an odd request by the wife. Known heavy drinker or possibly an older guy?

No clue, but IMO it won’t affect the outcome so it does no good assuming what may or may not have happened. If more facts come out, so be it.

We were out of MSA/ Dickies and heard about the incident and talked to a friend that saw the air lift. Did not know details though. Prayers for the guy and his family.

B-man wrote:

That’s terrible to hear. We all make mistakes Suzuki.

He was doing the right thing (drinking and staying on the lake). Take it a little easy on the guy.

Would you feel the same about someone doing the same thing at their own home?

Hoping he pulls through.

Just trying to help. I lost a relative this way when I was young and it made a lasting impression.

IceNEyes1986 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>munchy wrote:</div>
From an employee at Appledorns he was found in the morning outside in the snow by Appledorns staff. Looked to have fallen. Apparently it was requested by his wife to check on him every morning.

This is correct. The guy is in his mid to upper 70’s. He went outside to take a leak. Slipped & fell down & couldn’t get back up.

This same exact thing happened last year. I found him about 11:30pm laying in a snow bank right outside his front door of his skid house. The only reason I found him was my skid house was 3 houses down on the same plowed road. It was suspicious to me that the guys fish house door was left wide open for multiple hours. I went over to check on what was going on when I found him laying in -20 degree weather in just his street clothes. Not even any shoes on.

Sounds like, from what I was told by Kevin, the Appeldoorns Staff, the same thing happened again this year. Unfortunately, no one found him until his wife asked for him to be checked on..

Ugg that is terrible.
You old guys make me nervous when alone taking a pee. In a boat or in a shack now.
Please use a bottle or bucket or something and dispose of it later.
I hate hearing about fisherman falling over in a boat alone when they were going to the bathroom.

Ugh, sad story. Better than a young guy with a full life ahead of him, but still not a happy story.

Prayers to this family.

has anyone seen this on the news? I haven’t

I was wondering as well if there was an update. Hopefully its a good outcome.

I’m working on posting a link to Mike’s Update.

Ripjiggen wrote:

You old guys make me nervous when alone taking a pee. In a boat or in a shack now.
Please use a bottle or bucket or something and dispose of it later.

In my house we have used a pee jug for many years. Mostly because a pile of yellow snow next to the house looks ugly.

This is the best I can find. Its kind of hard to navigate, but if you can figure out how to have the oldest post come up first, it easier to follow.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelvadnie/journal/view/id/61e8f05b153b094a6f8b459e

So everyone doesn’t have to sign up for Caring Bridge….

From 13 hours ago

Another step forward
Journal Entry by Shannon Vadnie — 13 hours ago
Mike keeps making strides in his journey recovery and reminds us each day how strong he is. He always said he “was a lover, not a fighter” but he was wrong. Mike is a fighter and the past five days (has it really only been five days?!?) have proven that.

Today’s headline event: he was extubated this morning. WAHOO! The ventilator was removed and Mike’s lungs are breathing on their own, with only 2L of supportive oxygen. That is one giant step forward, for sure! His heart is still requiring medication support and Mike will remain in the ICU until he’s considered stable.

In other news: His kidneys are improving and “levels are trending in the right direction.” Mike’s frostbite injuries were seen by a specialist, washed, and treated today. We were told today that those injuries may not appear to be as bad as once thought, though they are not ready to comment until further assessments are done.

Tough to hear news: Mike’s more awake and alert than he has been (terrific news) but is quite confused (tougher news). Since having the ventilator removed, Mike’s no longer under sedation and we’re told that the confusion may be a combined result of the hypothermia, shock, trauma, and/or heavy-duty meds he’s been on. He is answering some questions (he knows he’s in the hospital, knows he’s a lawyer) but unable to answer others (can’t name me, can’t name type of law he practices). Frustratingly, MJ and I delivered his glasses to HCMC and nobody seems to know where they are. I know glasses wouldn’t help ease the mental confusion, but it might help ease some of his anxiety.

The plan: His heart (pulse and blood pressure) needs to stabilize before they talk about moving him out of the ICU. However the next step is unclear: medical unit? surgical unit? burn unit? Too many variables at play and we’re told not to expect anything to happen in the next two days, as far as discharge/transfer goes.

Everyone reading this holds my dad in their heart and takes up space is his as well. Your love is palpable.

Thank you all for your support and your continued prayers/vibes/intentions.
Shannon

What a terrible situation. I’ll continue to pray and wish him nothing but the best.

I love fishing alone for the solitude and clearing the mind, but there are definitely steps that should be taken or simple things that I overlook adding risks along the way. Going to the bathroom over the side of the boat is a big one, or even leaning way over to net fish or release them in rough water. Ice fishing brings its own risks too, and letting people know where you go and when you intend to be back is crucial. It could prove to save this guy’s life.

Thanks, Munchy. I was on my phone and don’t know how to do that fancy stuff on there. lol. Sent the link in an Email to my work computer & posted from there.

Well his battle will be long and challenging, but certainly some good news in there that he survived and is improving.