CASS COUNTY, Minnesota — Officials in Cass County are urging people to be cautious when on lakes this winter after a truck went through the ice Friday morning near the Horseshoe Bay Resort.
According to the Cass County Sheriff's Office, a 19-year-old man was on a plowed roadway on Leech Lake shortly after 10 a.m. The man had a 2007 Dodge Ram pickup and a snowplow when a large crack formed and the truck went through the ice. The man was able to escape the water and officials say he avoided any injuries.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says there were 17 ice deaths statewide over the past five winters.
The Cass County Sheriff's Office provided a few tips for anyone traveling on ice this winter:
- Check existing ice conditions as you travel
- Never consider ice "safe"
- Check with local bait shops, resorts, gas stations and/or other fisherman for conditions
- Consider other means of transportation besides a motor vehicle (ATV, snowmobile or on foot)
- Do not travel on the lake after dark
- Always notify someone in the area where you're traveling to and when you expect to return
- Carry a cell phone
- Be familiar with the lake — carry a map.
- If you need emergency assistance, call 911
- Consider using GPS to help you on and off the lake
- Avoid the use of alcohol
- Pay attention to warning signs that are posted (Remember, warning signs aren't posted everywhere)
- When available, access the lake through a resort or public access and travel only on plowed roads
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