By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
TOWN OF TOMAHAWK – A man from southeastern Wisconsin was rescued after he and his ATV fell through the ice on the Spirit River Flowage in the Town of Tomahawk this morning.
According to a release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, on Friday, Dec. 22, at 7:54 a.m., an emergency call was received reporting the incident, and deputies, along with the Tomahawk Fire Department (TFD) and Tomahawk EMS, responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, it was discovered that the 911 caller, a nearby fisherman, had tied a rope to the man and was holding him in the water while awaiting emergency personnel, and a local resident had walked out to the man in the water with a canoe to assist.
The Sheriff’s Office said a TFD water rescue team ultimately removed the man from the water and brought him to shore. The man was about 400 yards from shore when he was rescued.
The individual in the water, identified by the Sheriff’s Office as a Bristol, Wis., man, 65, was later transported to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital to be treated for mild hypothermia symptoms.
The man is expected to make a full recovery, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that no ice is ever 100% safe,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. “Please take this into consideration when utilizing Wisconsin waterways. With the anticipated warmer temperatures and rain forecasted the next couple of days, the ice conditions are only going to deteriorate.”