COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - A Coldwater man was rescued late yesterday morning after falling through the ice on Little Rose Lake in Branch County’s Ovid Township. 31-year old Timothy Lee Fullington was pulled to safety with the help of bystanders who fashioned a device from a life preserver and marine rope to bring him to the shorelilne.

Authorities say Fullington was about 100-feet out when the ice broke. He told deputies he had gone onto the lake to check the thickness with an ax and had planned to return for ice fishing. It was shortly after 11 a.m. yesterday when 9-1-1 dispatched a state trooper to check out reports of someone calling for help in the area of Behnke and Rose Roads.

Lakeland firemen and the Sheriff’s Department Underwater Recovery team also responded to the scene.  Fullington was treated for exposure at the Community Health Center of Branch County. Deputies are reminding everyone that ice consistency is unpredictable and they say no ice is totally safe.