RCMP are urging caution once again after a third vehicle in recent days has fallen through the ice on a Central Alberta lake popular for outdoor winter activities.
“Sylvan Lake is a popular destination for ice fishing, snowmobiling, ATV and UTV riding, skating and other outdoor activities,” says RCMP Staff Sergeant Jay Peden in a relese issued Tuesday. “Please keep in mind that Sylvan Lake is a spring-fed body of water, which can cause ice thickness to vary from one area to another. If you are unsure whether the ice is safe, please err on the side of caution.”
RCMP received a report on Monday of a third vehicle breaking through the ice on Sylvan Lake, located about 23 kilometres west of Red Deer.
Sylvan Lake RCMP began warning residents and visitors about dangerous ice conditions on the lake Saturday, Dec.28 after two vehicles broke through the ice and were submerged in the water.
“Ice thickness can vary significantly across the lake and current conditions are unsafe for vehicles or other heavy equipment,” police said in a statement issued Saturday. “We urge everyone to stay off the ice with motorized vehicles and to exercise extreme caution. Please prioritize safety.”
As with the previous two incidents, there were no injuries reported in Monday’s incident.
If you fall through the ice RCMP advise:
• Leaving your vehicle right away. If you’re in the water, move toward the edge of the ice and break through until you reach solid ice that can support your weight.
• Acting quickly as every moment counts. Lie flat on your stomach and crawl onto the ice, distributing your weight as much as possible. Sharp objects like nails or spikes can help you grip the surface.
• Finding warmth as soon as possible and remove wet clothing. This might mean heading to shore and starting a fire without delay.
• Keeping in mind that hypothermia can set in rapidly, leaving you unable to help yourself. Act fast to stay safe.
