The Madison Fire Department (MFD) rescued two individuals this week from Lakes Mendota and Monona after they fell through the ice.
Dispatchers responded to reports that someone fell through the ice on Lake Mendota by Picnic Point around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday night. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) assisted MFD in the rescue and illuminated the area while rescuers pulled the individual from the water.
The individual reported walking on the ice before falling and was in the water for roughly 20 minutes. Paramedics transported the individual to a local hospital for treatment, according to the MFD. UWPD shared drone footage of the rescue with The Daily Cardinal.
On Monday, multiple 911 callers reported a woman falling through ice on Lake Monona just before 7:45 a.m. MPD rescued her with a paddle board found on shore, and she was not injured but transported to the hospital due to cold exposure concerns. The woman had attempted to ice skate with her shoes before she fell in the ice.
The woman fell close to areas marked off with buoys to warn of warmer water temperatures.
Two other lake rescues occurred this month, one involving an all-terrain vehicle also on Lake Mendota near Picnic Point. First responders rescued an individual Jan. 16 after their ATV was unable to climb back onto surrounding ice, which could not hold up the vehicle's weight.
Early this month, an ice skater fell into Lake Monona’s ice and was rescued northeast of Monona Terrace in an area first responders say appeared to be unstable due to pressure causing ice to crack and move.
MFD and UWPD advise the public that despite the recent cold weather, no ice in Madison should be considered safe. Anyone choosing to go on the lake ice should avoid areas that show signs of cracking and upheaval, let people know where you are, wear a personal flotation device and bring equipment such as ice picks to help you get out if you do fall in.
Ella Hanley is the associate news editor for The Daily Cardinal. She has written breaking, city, state and campus news. Follow her on Twitter at @ellamhanley.
