FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE: (February 10, 2017)
Because of the unseasonably warm weather and deteriorating ice conditions, the Rice County Sheriff’s Office is again advising people to not drive cars and trucks on the lakes in Rice County.
Since January 20th, we’ve had at least three vehicles break through the ice. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. Remember, even if someone reports an incident where somebody goes through the ice, it will take emergency
responders a significant amount of time to obtain the necessary rescue gear to respond to the scene. A fish is not worth your life. Please use common sense and if you choose to go onto the lakes, wear PFD’s or “float coats”, have ice spikes to assist you in getting out of the water. Hypothermia sets in quickly and time is definitely not on your side if you fall into our frozen lakes or waterways.
The Rice County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the situation. Please remember that no matter how thick the ice may be, it is never completely safe to drive on.
Prepared by: Sheriff Troy Dunn
