AFTER becoming stranded on an ice floe on Lake Erie in Ohio, eighteen individuals were rescued.
When the ice sheet broke away near Catawba Island, the group was riding snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the frozen lake.
On Sunday, a US Coast Guard helicopter and airboat rescued eleven members of the trapped group.
The last seven were rescued by a “good Samaritan” in a private airboat and was later applauded by the authorities.
A US Coast Guard helicopter spotted the group on the floating sheet of ice and began rescuing them about 13:00 (18:00 GMT) on Sunday.
Emergency services were waiting for them once they were back on dry land, but none of the rescued individuals required medical attention.
Afterwards, the US Coast Guards announced to those planning recreational outings to the frozen lake that they should ensure they bring ice picks or screwdrivers in case they fall through the ice and need to “self-rescue,”
Adding that “While there is no such thing as safe ice,” Jeremiah Schiessel of Coast Guard Section Detroit said “people may limit their risks.”
