Published Feb. 9 2018

Dysart fire department is again warning people to stay off the ice following an early morning rescue on Friday.

The call came in at 3:38 a.m. on Feb. 9 that four fishermen had gone through the ice at Birch Narrows between Grass Lake and Kashagawigamog Lake near Haliburton.

According to information from the Haliburton Highlands OPP four males were travelling together on two snowmobiles and an ATV when the ATV broke through the ice.

“Two people had gotten out by themselves. Two people were rescued by firefighters after being in the water for at least 30 minutes” fire chief Mike Iles reported in a press release.

Police say three of the four males were taken to hospital to be treated for hypothermia.

The driver of the ATV a 32-year-old had been drinking police say: "A three-day licence suspension was served following a warn range result at the roadside."

Without intervention “two people would probably be dead” Iles's press release states.

“This is 12 people that have gone through the ice in Haliburton County this winter (within the last few days).” Those people were travelling in the area of thin ice open water or moving water.

Iles said if people are unfamiliar with the lakes or rivers they should stay off them.

The call was attended by OPP Dysart Fire Department and Haliburton County Paramedic Service.