OSAGE, Minn. — Some young boys from Lakes Country have a fish story to tell and it just may save someone’s life.
A 14-year-old and his younger brother fell through the ice on a lake near Park Rapids
“Right there, that little bubble type area is right where we fell through,” said Gabe Savage, who was rescued from the ice. Fourteen-year-old Gabe pointed to the area on Straight Lake in Osage, Minn., where he and his 13-year-old brother had to be rescued Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 18.
“Just itching to fish, just itching to get out on the early ice,” Savage said.
Gabe said he surveyed the ice with his brother before going out and noticed it was about an inch thick. That’s why they did not walk on the ice but used their otter sled to slide across with an ice pick.
“We just pushed ourselves out there, we used that to make our holes and stuff, after that the water just started coming out of the holes; after that we really weighed it down and started cracking and we just caved in,” Savage said.
A neighbor who was watching the boys noticed what happened about 100 yards from shore and called 911. Drone video from the Becker County Sheriff’s Office shows the conditions at the time of the rescue. The water and ice combination made it difficult to reach the boys, and it took about 25 minutes.
“You could feel the ice vibrating so I had the idea in my mind we could capsize, I’m so thankful we didn’t,” Savage said.
While the boys may have made a bad choice to go out on the thin ice, they are being given credit for making a good decision.
“My one son had a life jacket on and my other son has a suit that has some flotation devices built into the suit itself and ice fishing suit,” said Cyrus Gust, the boys’ father.
First responders said the use of the otter sled was critical in keeping them above water and dry until help arrived.
“So glad I didn’t drown, or get hypothermia or I could still be in the hospital right now, or who knows,” Savage said.
Gabe admits sharing his story is embarrassing but thought his message could save others from making the same choice.
“I want other people to realize that they should just wait and how dangerous it is to be out on the ice this early and when it’s thin, it’s just not a smart idea and I should have realized that yesterday,” Gabe said.
It is a fish tale these brothers will tell for years to come about the dangers of thin ice. Mom and Dad plan on making the boys write a report about the dangers of thin ice.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says for thin ice, anything less than 4 inches should be avoided. At 4 inches, it is only safe to go on foot. No snowmobiles until it is at least 5 to 7 inches thick, and no ATVs until there is 8 inches of ice. Cars can go out when it is 9 to 12 inches thick, and it will be safe for most trucks when the ice is 13 to 17 inches thick. There should be no ice fishing castles allowed until the ice is 20 inches or thicker.
Temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the relative safety of ice. Ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water; it can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. (Courtesy of the Minnesota DNR)
The DNR tells WDAY even when the ice is thick enough to travel on, that does not mean it is completely safe. Different parts of the lake can freeze at different rates, and there are warning signs everyone should watch out for.
“Whether it be discoloration from some thickness from one location on the lake to another, you know, bubbles forming, those kinds of things, water on the surface, all things to be aware of,” said Grey Corbus, conservation officer with the Minnesota DNR.
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