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After Falling Into Icy Lake While Trying to Photograph Illuminated Fountain, Man Remains Submerged, Calls Emergency From Cell Phone and Is Saved by Firefighters
A 35-year-old man escaped death after falling into an icy lake on the campus of Butler University in Indiana, USA. According to O Globo, the accident happened on the night of this Monday (2) at Holcomb Gardens lake when he attempted to photograph an illuminated fountain and the ice gave way beneath his feet.
Fall in the Middle of Intense Cold
According to authorities, the victim remained submerged in icy water for about 20 to 25 minutes. At that moment, temperatures reached -7°C.
Even with parts of the lake still showing visible water, the man believed the frozen surface would support his weight as he approached the fountain.
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The ice break sent him into an area about three meters deep.
Despite the extreme situation, he managed to keep his head and arms above water, clinging to the edges of the ice in a continuous effort not to sink again.
Makeshift Call for Help
Still with the cell phone in hand, the man called emergency service 911 and remained in contact while waiting for help.
The first to arrive were Butler University police officers James Hoeing and Jimmy Laws, who attempted to pull him out with the help of a rope, but were unsuccessful at first due to the ice conditions.
The rescue was only completed after the arrival of the Indianapolis Fire Department. A rescuer advanced onto the ice and secured the victim with a specific harness for rescues on frozen surfaces.
According to the firefighters, the man’s height complicated the operation, but he was pulled from the water about three minutes after the specialized team arrived.
Warning from Authorities About Ice Risks
Authorities emphasized that the victim was lucid enough to inform them that there was no one else on the ice.
In a statement, firefighters described the survival as “extraordinary luck.” The man’s identity was not disclosed, and the Daily Mail reported that it sought a comment from the Indianapolis Fire Department regarding the case.
Data from the Cottleville Fire Department indicates that around 250 people die annually after falling into frozen bodies of water.
Similar cases continue to occur, such as the recent rescue of a dog in Missouri, pulled from a frozen lake with temperatures as low as -13°C, highlighting the risks of such extreme situations.
With information from O Globo.
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