OPP warning of thin ice after two recreation vehicles fall through eastern Ontario lakes

An Ontario Provincial Police badge is pictured on the sleeve of an officer's uniform. (Source: OPP)

Ontario Provincial Police reported two separate incidents of snow machines falling through ice on eastern Ontario lakes this weekend.

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Frontenac OPP say they were first called to an area on Shabomeka Lake in North Frontenac Township on Saturday after a resident reported snowmobile tracks leading to a large hole in the ice.

After an investigation, officers were able to locate the rider at his home and confirmed there were no other passengers unaccounted for.

Officers found the snowmobile crashed through the ice approximately 20 feet from the shore. The driver was able to escape the vehicle and made it back to the dock unharmed.

The snowmobile remains at the bottom of the lake in 10 feet of water, OPP say.

On the same day, OPP officers were called to an area of Sydenham Lake in South Frontenac Township after a side-by-side UTV crashed through the ice and sunk to the bottom.

The rider was able to escape and made it back to shore "freezing cold and soaking wet" but was not injured. The vehicle went through the ice approximately 100 feet from the shoreline. It is not known how deep the lake is in that area.

In both cases, the Ministry of Environment was notified and the responsibility for removing the vehicles from the water will fall on the owners.

"The extreme fluctuation between warm and cold temperatures means no ice is safe ice," OPP said.

OPP is sharing the following snow machine safety tips:

• Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to arrive.
• Keep your gas tank filled.
• Check the weather, trail and ice conditions before you leave.
• Wear appropriate clothing to prevent hypothermia, like a floater or survival suit.
• Regularly Inspect your snowmobile to make sure it is in good mechanical condition.
• Bring a first-aid kit and a survival kit.
• Stay on trails and use proper care and control.
• Always ride sober.