Rumor pickup through the ice?

[Kingfisher]

There is a rumor going around that a pickup went through the ice yesteray, and that three men escaped. Is there any truth to this, if so where did it happen?

[Crappie Killer]

I heard the same. Zipple Bay,

[curt quesnell]

I heard a rumor also but it was supposed to<BR>be at the twin islands.<P>These stories fly around early every winter<BR>and are helped along by the internet.<P>We are checking around right now and will <BR>post info.<P>This is worth repeating. If a truck drops<BR>thru the ice this time of the year it is <BR>just stupidity on the drivers part. There<BR>are serious repercussions other that death<BR>and destruction. If there were an early<BR>ice fatality on LOW the Resorts would be<BR>flooded with cancellations and MILLIONS<BR>of dollars of economic damage would be done<BR>to the area because some [PoorWordUsage] was out on the<BR>ice with a truck too early.<P>Obviously you dont want anyone hurt or killed<BR>on the ice, but some people seem to beg for<BR>it, not caring about what other trouble their<BR>actions will cause.<P>With all that said, here is what we found<BR>out this morning from the DNR.<P><BR>A pickup dropped thru the ice at the Twin<BR>Islands area on thursday. Nobody was hurt.<BR>The owner of the truck is from the Metro<BR>area. The truck is sitting in 35 feet of<BR>water, the law requires the owner retrieve<BR>the vehicle at his expense.<BR>The vehicle drove right past the signs on<BR>Babblers road warning the ice wasnt safe<BR>for vehicles yet and NO VEHICLES should<BR>be on the ice.<P>They drove out onto the thin ice left over<BR>from the crack from a couple weeks ago. The<BR>ice was 5 or 6 inches thick and would be just<BR>fine for Atvs and Snowmobiles.<P>Thats it!<P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio<p>[This message has been edited by curt quesnell (edited 12-20-2003).]

[BDR]

Glad to hear everyone got out ok! WHAT'S THE HURRY!!!<P>Be safe! Brian

[Reefer]

Was Gordy around twin I wonder?? Seriously though, this goes to show when these guys put the no vehicles signs out that their there for a reason. Thanks for checking that rumor out, Curt. I fished over there last sun and I can guess about exxactly wher e it went down, that crack everyone was talking about last week. People, take your time, we have all winter!!!

[eyecrosser2000]

This should be the answer to some of the questions about safety issues in a previous post titled "why all the bantering about ice thickness" <P>Too many people depend on the "information" on these message boards to be just kidding around with safety issues. Unfortunately, Curt was right on in his post--an incident like this doesn't seem to reflect on the people who made poor decisions, but rather on the good people who make a living on the lake and in the area around LOW.<P>Keep the dares and double-dares for the bar after a day on the lake.

[Kingfisher]

Thank you Curt for your timely and accurate report.

[Dr. Bob]

Thank you Curt. Thank God no one died!

[bucks-n-ducks]

I was at twin island today....I was fishing all by myslef and a guy came over and asked me if he could use my auger..He went on to tell me that he is the person that is going to get the guys truck out and he was out there trying to get some things for him and he had his auger but needed a bigger hole to get the powerhead out..I said I wanted to see what he was doing so I reeled up and went over to check out the situation. When I got there, there was a auger bit sticking out of a hole in the ice, he proceeded to drill some holes around the auger and pull the auger out. I was kinda impressed that he got a auger out with a gaf tied to 1/2 nylon rope. He said the guy had two augers, a portable, and a vexilar down there, along with some other things. So he put the gaf back down the hole and after about two or three minutes he said "I've got something" Sure enough he pulls up a shovel and one of those collapisable chairs. He said the truck was in 22 feet of water.. Sorry post is getting kind of long, but just wanted to relay this story <P>bucks-n-ducks

[White-tips]

Talked to Richard Babler (Ree-shard Bab-lay if you're french canadian or drunk) on Sat. afternoon, sounded like the typical story: Two guys don't know a d%$m thing about the lake and didn't pay attention to those who do. Richard said these guys were north of twin were there wasn't even ATV or snowmobile tracks!! Listen to the locals and pay attention to where people are at. There is only 12-14" of ice and Richard said he definetly will not be opening his road to regular vehicles until well after X-mas, especially with the warm weather. Warm weather only makes the cracks worse and the cross-lake travel extremely dangerous. Fishing is (in general) pretty good. Just be prepared to go by way of ATV or Cat. Richard has been doing this for many, many years. If you're going on his road, do it by his rules. Good luck. The travel is hard, the fishing (right now) is easy.

[hanson]

Yikes.<P>I read these forums religiously to find the most accurate information I can. Just because someone on here says they drove out, doesn’t mean that I’m going too. The thread “Why all the bantering about ice thickness????” just about made me sick. The thread closed before I could submit my opinion, and figured starting another thread would end up with the same result. The decision was made Saturday to haul our snowmobiles up because some people are saying driving is fine, and others are saying forget about it. I’m gonna play it safe.<P>So we get to Babler’s Road Saturday morning and the sign says “ATVs & Snocats only to Gull Rock & the Islands, Watch for Cracks, Be Careful.” So we make it out west of Twin Islands no problem. I don’t even think we had 12” of ice where we were fishing. Throughout the day, I bet there were a dozen vehicles that had drove out there. Not small vehicles either, mostly ½ ton pickups. We just sat there shaking our heads. What part of that message said vehicles allowed too. I realize that some of these vehicles were fishing permanent houses and probably are local type people that know what they are doing. Who’s to say that someone who doesn’t know what the conditions are like is going to follow them out and venture off to far in the wrong direction.<P>Anyway, check out the Metro Lakes & Rivers forum. There were like 8-10 vehicles parked along the shoreline of Buffalo Lake just west of the cities that all fell through.<P>Oh yeah, the fishing was pretty decent. Mostly small walleyes & sauger but managed to find a few that we could eat. Bigger fish seemed to come early afternoon. Got 2 dandy Eelpout, if anybody is looking for a hot Eelpout bite!<BR>

[curt quesnell]

Nicely said Hanson!<P>So they are still driving around the sign<BR>warning of thin ice and onto the lake.<P>What are you gonna do!<P><P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio

[Uncle Bill]

A truck falls thru the ice in 35 ft., three men escape, nobody hurt.<BR>Did they even get wet ??<BR>I assume this truck was insured.<BR>Probly new with a large loan balance or long term lease.<BR>Dummies huh ???<BR>Bahhhhh, I probly watch too much TV.<P>

[boener]

Your insurance doesnt cover anything through the ice. Not only that, but you have to pay out of your pocket to get the "item" out. Not a good deal a week before x-mas!!!! Anyways....merry xmas to all and to all a bent rod!!

[roadkingclasic56]

We were up to fish LOW on Wednesday and Thursday last week. We paid a resort for access to the lake. They told us there was good ice. At least 12-14 inches. No problem with a 1/2 ton pickup. We drove out on their plowed, marked road and stopped just to the side of the road to set up and fish. Drilled the holes in barely 10 inches of ice. As we were setting up the resort truck, a four wheel drive unit, drives by pulling a permanent fish house. He is driving down his own plowed road with his door open. We trusted the resort owner to know if the area was safe or not. No way for us to check the ice ourselves since we live so far away. We fished but I was a little uneasy the whole time.

[bturck]

Gentlemen: I own an insurance agency. My company with comp attached to your coerages covers a vehicle going through the ice. There is no express exclusion, therefore it is covered. Do I want to test it by going through, absolutley not. But we have paid claims for dropping a vehicle through the ice and also the cost of the removal as designated by the EPA. I've said this before check with your agent regarding your coverages. but no where is it stated off road use of your vehicle is excluded from coverage, this includes driving on the ice. Hope this helps. Good luck, hang on and read the signs. Bill

[Uncle Bill]

Boener,<BR>Your insurance will most certainly cover you.

[Guest]

I enjoy when someone comes on and states a "fact" with such enthusiasm. I have spoke with several insurance companies about this and I was told, "it doesn't matter how your car got in the lake, whether you missed a curve in the road and shot off into a lake or if you drove out and fell through, the insurance companies would cover it." <BR>Seems I hear they won't all the time from others but when you talk to the insurance agents your pickup, car, atv....whatever is insured would be covered.

[JIGSTER]

I don't know about the one by the islands,but I know for a fact one broke through off the west end of Pine Island.I watch them pull it out Sunday evening.If you are not familiar with the Morris Point washout be careful and DO NOT try to drive between Pine and Morris Point.This area is shallow with a good current.I thought I had problems with a frozen water line on the trailer,but after seeing that I didn't feel so bad!!Be careful and good fishin' Jigster

[Tailgunner]

Rumor is true. PU did go down at twin Islands in 30ft of water. All got out safe. Don't know why there in 30ft when all the action has been in 19 to 25 ft.<P>Later!!!!

[Tailgunner]

Rumor is true, PU did go thru in 30ft off twin island, all got out. Don't know why there in 30ft when all the action has been in 19 to 25ft.