(STEUBEN COUNTY, IN)- A man from Fremont, Indiana had to be rescued Thursday night after his vehicle crashed through the ice on Snow Lake in Steuben County.
Indiana State Police troopers and numerous Steuben County area first responders were dispatched at about 710 pm to a report of an occupied vehicle that had crashed through the ice on the north basin. ISP Sergeant Andy Smith was the first to arrive. He was flagged down by a Snow Lake resident, who then led him and EMS personnel to where the vehicle had gone through.
67-year-old Frederick Forte was calling for help as he was found straddling the roof of a Polaris Ranger utility vehicle that was submerged out in the open water. Smith and the medics got a throw rope and tried an assisted self-rescue, hoping to pull Forte from the open water to the shoreline.
Rescue divers from the Fremont and Metz fire departments arrived, entered the water and made direct contact with Forte. The divers were able to pull Forte out of the water and onto the ice, where awaiting firefighters and medics loaded him onto an ice sled. He was then pulled to shore.
Forte remained alert and conscious throughout the rescue. He told first responders that he was alone when his vehicle went through the ice. He was transported via ambulance to a local area hospital for evaluation and treatment related to the cold water and weather exposure.
Divers conducted a search of the submerged vehicle and the surrounding water to ensure there were no other occupants involved. There was an attempt made to remove the UTV from the water but conditions were not favorable. The UTV was left submerged and will be removed at a later date.
The Indiana DNR Conservation Officer that responded to the scene will be handling the official crash investigation.
Assisting in this incident were troopers from the Fort Wayne Post, Indiana DNR Conservation Officers, Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, Fremont/Metz/Salem Fire Department personnel, Steuben County EMS, and Bill’s Towing Service.
This remains an active investigation. (Photo courtesy of the Indiana State Police)
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