What Happened: Fatal Ice Fishing Accident in Upstate New York

A New York man is lucky to be alive after falling through thin ice in Upstate New York.

His survival was all thanks to the quick actions of a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Forest Ranger and local emergency workers who responded to the scene. Ranger Nate Laymon described both the successful rescue and the attempt to save the life of another man who tragically died as a result of the accident.

Lakes and Ponds in New York Still Not Safely Frozen

While winter has arrived in the Hudson Valley, it takes numerous days of consistent freezing temperatures before a lake is covered with ice thick enough for safe foot travel (find out the safety formula here). This story is a tragic reminder of what can happen when these safety guidelines are ignored.

New York Forest Ranger Describes Ice Rescue in Otsego County, NY

Ranger Laymon shared that the ice on Basswood Pond in Otsego County, NY only had a thin layer of ice covering its surface, and his estimate of one inch of ice thickness was described by authorities as "unsafe for fishing". From the NYS DEC:

On January 6, Forest Ranger Nate Laymon received a call about two ice fishermen who had fallen through the ice on Basswood Pond. The Forest Ranger saw one of the men treading water but lost sight of the other. He was able to pull both men from the water, but sadly, only one survived.

Deceptive Winter Weather in Upstate New York

"It's been warm recently... ponds and lakes aren't ready to be out on yet", said Ranger Laymon. "We all did the best we could [rescuing the two men]… a lot of the incidents that we are on statewide could be preventable... if the right plans are in place". Watch Ranger Laymon describe the harrowing rescue below.

Proper Preparation for Winter Weather in New York

The "plans" Ranger Laymon mentioned include everything from proper clothing and footwear to checking ahead for weather conditions. Winter weather can be especially challenging as numerous factors (including both freezing and overheating) add an extra risk factor to an already dangerous season. Check out the basics for at-home winter safety below.