Monday 22 February 2021

Ten people including three children are rescued from an ice floe on Lake Erie after they ignored warnings not to venture out onto the water

 Ten people were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes in Ohio on Sunday afternoon after they became stuck on two ice floes that ended up breaking off from the shore of Lake Erie in Cleveland.

The seven adults and three children were out playing on the ice on Sunday lunchtime in Edgewater Park when the pack ice broke free, rendering the group incapable of reaching the shore.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a call around 2:30pm on Sunday which initially said that there were only a few people on the ice, but that number was later increased to ten. 

Ten people were rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team from Station Cleveland, as well as other local rescue agencies on Sunday afternoon

Ten people were rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team from Station Cleveland, as well as other local rescue agencies on Sunday afternoon

Five members of the group are pictured standing on the ice floe as the rescue gets underway

Five members of the group are pictured standing on the ice floe as the rescue gets underway

The US Coast Guard rescued six individuals via the use of an ice skiff while another four were escorted off the ice by Cleveland Fire Department

The US Coast Guard rescued six individuals via the use of an ice skiff while another four were escorted off the ice by Cleveland Fire Department

This photograph gives a sense of just how far away the group became stranded from the shore

This photograph gives a sense of just how far away the group became stranded from the shore

People rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team from Station Cleveland, as well as other local rescue agencies are seen safely escorted to shore

People rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team from Station Cleveland, as well as other local rescue agencies are seen safely escorted to shore

The National Weather Service in Cleveland issued a warning to not go onto the ice due to development of significant cracks from southerly winds, but the advice was ignored

The National Weather Service in Cleveland issued a warning to not go onto the ice due to development of significant cracks from southerly winds, but the advice was ignored

The National Weather Service in Cleveland warned of dangerous conditions out on the ice

The National Weather Service in Cleveland warned of dangerous conditions out on the ice

The USCG's Ice rescue team from Station Cleveland Harbor and local agencies were quickly on the scene. A helicopter was also drafted to help with the rescue. 

The Coast Guard managed to rescue six people from the using a 15ft ice skiff, a special boat used to travel across the ice. 


The remaining four were escorted off the ice by the Cleveland Fire Department.  

Before Sunday's rescue, the National Weather Service in Cleveland had warned of hazardous weather and urged residents to 'avoid going on the ice and take steps to protect and help yourself.' 

News footage captures the rescue underway on Sunday afternoon

News footage captures the rescue underway on Sunday afternoon 

Rescuers can be seen moving into action as they walk to the edge of the ice

Rescuers can be seen moving into action as they walk to the edge of the ice

A United States Coast Guard helicopter flies past the Edgewater Pier as people are rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team from Station Cleveland

A United States Coast Guard helicopter flies past the Edgewater Pier as people are rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team from Station Cleveland

A woman photographs a United States Coast Guard helicopter as people are rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team

A woman photographs a United States Coast Guard helicopter as people are rescued off the ice of Lake Erie by members of the USCG Ice Rescue Team

A Cleveland firefighter makes his way onto the ice to assist with the rescue

A Cleveland firefighter makes his way onto the ice to assist with the rescue

Cleveland resident Andrew Sowinski takes video of people being rescued off the ice

Cleveland resident Andrew Sowinski takes video of people being rescued off the ice

NWS Cleveland stated 'dangerous ice conditions are developing over the next couple days. It is advised to stay off the ice on Lake Erie as areas of ice could break off from the shore.' 

Officials said 'areas of ice could break off from the shore' and 'if you are on the ice and it breaks away from shore, you will become stranded.' 

'You can do us a big favor by telling the public: 'Do not walk on the ice,' said a Cleveland emergency personnel captain cited by Cleveland 19. 'The lake is not frozen.' 

There have been a number of ice rescues over the years often from floes that have broken off into Lake Erie.

In March 2019, the Coast Guard rescued 46 ice fisherman from an ice floe, while in 2009 134 anglers became stranded and had to saved by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

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