A 69-year-old man from Georgina died Saturday after falling through the ice on Lake Simcoe.
York Regional Police responded to a call on Feb. 3 at about 2 p.m. after two men had fallen through the ice while riding an ATV at Duclos Point.
Police said both men were rescued, however, one of the men had suffered a medical emergency and was pronounced deceased shortly after.
York Regional Police continue to remind the community of the dangers of melting ice with temperatures rising and the ice becoming unsafe.
“Stay off the ice on Lake Simcoe,” York Regional Police posted on X last week. “A number of ATV riders and ice fishers had to be rescued off the lake.”
This isn't the first melting ice related issue to take place on Lake Simcoe over the last few days, police said.
On Jan. 26, the police were called after a snowmobiler had fallen through the ice near Duclos Point. Police said an ice fisher advised he was looking for a spot to fish when his snowmobile fell through the ice. He managed to pull himself out and call a friend for help.
However, police said that as the pair headed back to the shore on a second snowmobile, it also fell through the ice. Both men suffered minor injuries.
On Jan. 31, police were called to assist a male who had fallen through the ice while riding an ATV near Thorah Island. The male was rescued and treated for minor injuries, police said.
"No surface of ice or body of water is ever completely safe," York Regional Police said in a news release. "It is crucial that citizens take individual responsibility in evaluating the dangers of any recreational activity. If you make educated choices regarding safety, accidents can be prevented."
York Regional Police is reminding the community to follow these safety tips:
- Know the condition of the ice before you go out and remember that changes in the weather can rapidly alter conditions on lakes and streams
- Wear proper clothing and floatation attire
- Never venture out onto the lake alone
- Ensure you have a cell phone with a fully charged battery in the event of an emergency
- Tell someone where you are going, with whom and what time you will return
For more information and safety tips, contact the York Regional Police Marine Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7321.
