Seasonal family on remote lake saw him fall through, called police
PRESQUE ISLE CO., MI -- We have an amazing about a Northern Michigan man spent some 45 minutes in a frigid lake after falling through the ice and will live to tell about it.
Terry Taffe is an avid fisherman. He would jump over the open water to get onto the ice. But around 1:45 Thursday, he fell through. And if it wasn't for neighbors being home, the ending of this story could be completely different.
Gail Irey and her husband moved from Suburban Detroit to this remote Lake Emma home four years ago. They are one of three families that stick around year-round. They say every day, they'd see the "diehard Lake Emma ice fisherman" on the ice.
"He would be there rain or shine, so there has to be fish,” laughed Irey.
But Thursday, the Irey's remember seeing Terry Taffe set up shop, wondering if it was a good idea. During the course of the day they looked out and he was gone. They picked up a pair of binoculars and saw Taffe splashing around. Gail Irey ran outside and called 911.
"He was yelling help, help, and I kept yelling hold on! And he'd yell back ok, it was hurry up, it's cold," said Irey.
Emergency crews showed up and found Taffe using ice picks and holding on to dear life. One rescuer fell through, but then a hovercraft showed up and pulled Taffe to safety. He had been in the ice-cold, frigid water for more than 45 minutes. His body temperature dropped to 86 degrees.
"99.9 percent of the time they're brining out a body, rather than a person," explained Eva Taffe, Terry’s wife.
Eva says its a miracle and he's doing just fine
"He told me that he said, God, I don't know how you will get me out of this, but I know you will," said Eva.
"I was pumped last night when I got home, it gives you a good feeling that the way it turns out," said Sgt. John Kasuba of the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Office.
Terry and Eva say they can't give enough thanks to all of those who helped in the rescue and according to the neighbors, they'll keep those binoculars right on the table.
