Ice floe breaks off from shore leaving fishermen stranded
LOCUST POINT, OHIO, NEAR TOLEDO -- COAST GUARD AIR STATION TRAVERSE CITY IS AMONG THOSE RESPONDING ... AFTER AS MANY AS 200 PEOPLE WERE TRAPPED ON A SLAB OF ICE ON LAKE ERIE.
THE ICE FLOE IS ABOUT 8 MILES WIDE AND HAS BROKEN FREE, FLOATING AWAY FROM THE OHIO SHORELINE.
THE COAST GUARD SAYS SEVERAL SHIPS AND HELICOPTERS FROM MICHIGAN AND OHIO WERE SENT TO RESCUE THOSE PEOPLE - THAT INCLUDES AIR STATION TRAVERSE CITY AND THE CUTTER MACKINAW.
THE COAST GUARD REPORTS JUST TWO PEOPLE WERE IN THE WATER... ONE OF THEM HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY LATER DIED.
AUTHORITIES SAID FISHERMEN APPARENTLY USED WOODEN PALLETS TO CREATE A BRIDGE OVER A CRACK IN THE ICE SO THEY COULD GO FARTHER OUT ON THE LAKE. BUT THE PLANKS FELL INTO THE WATER WHEN THE ICE SHIFTED, STRANDING THE FISHERMEN ABOUT 1,000 YARDS OFF SHORE.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
