The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office says one of their deputies helped to rescue a man who fell through the ice on top of a pond in Salem Sunday, December 20, 2020.
The department says they received word around 4:53 p.m. from a 911 call that a man could not get out of the pond just east of Hooker Lake, near the intersection of 236th Avenue and 80th Place.
Deputy Colin Coultrip was the first to arrive, finding a 57-year-old Salem Lakes man struggling in the water about 75 yards from shore. A bystander told Coultrip the man had been in the water for about 20 minutes and appeared to be getting weaker.
Deputy Coultrip made his way on the ice towards the man, dragging along a canoe to assist. Once getting to the man, and having the canoe break through the ice, the deputy assisted the man into the canoe.
“We remained afloat on top of the ice,” says Coultrip. But as the two made their way back towards shore, the rescue man’s medical condition caused him to panic. This forced the canoe to capsize and forcing the two back into the water, which was estimated to be about six feet deep.
Deputy Coultrip was able to get himself back onto the ice. He then coached the man out of a panicked state to assist him. “He was able to get his bearings, to calm down a little bit, and he was able to successfully self-rescue himself,” says Coultrip.
When members of the Salem Lakes Fire Department arrived, Coultrip directed them to help the rescued man first. He was taken to a hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery.
Deputy Coultrip made his way back to shore without assistance, and did not sustain any injuries.
It was believed the rescued man was ice fishing when he fell into the water. The Sheriff’s Department and local first responders are reminding people that none of the ice in Kenosha County is safe for any outdoor activities. Deputy Coultrip estimated the ice to be no more than three inches thick where the man went through. It should be at least four inches thick before walking on it.
Watch Deputy Coultrip recount the rescue below:
