CHIPPEWA COUNTY (WWJ) - An ice fisherman in the Upper Peninsula had a close call after he got stuck on an ice floe and blown out into the St. Mary's River — but rescuers were able to get to him, thanks to his cell phone.
According to the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office, they were alerted to the situation after the man was able to call the Chippewa County Central Dispatch around 10 a.m. on Friday.
The man told deputies that he had been fishing apporximently one mile to one and a half miles out from the Rocky Point Road launch area when he got caught on the ice.
According to authorities, the man had taken a snowmobile out onto the frozen water, but left the machine behind when the ice got too thin and walked further out.
He was fishing when the ice floe he was on was blown out by the wind, deputies added. The ice was headed toward a shipping channel area when the man contacted authorities.
The sheriff's department responded with their Hovercraft, along with their Drone Division, and were able to locate the man. He was brought back, across ice, water and land, uninjured, deputies added.
The rescue operation was assisted by the U.S. Border Patrol, Central Dispatch, Raber Fire with the Kinross EMS and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Deputies say the man was lucky his phone was on him and that he had service, as the location where he was found was near Canadian tower space.
"The Sheriff's Office would like to remind everyone heading out onto ice to check the depth of the ice often," the department said on social media. "It is best to keep a phone with you, let someone know where you are going and carry a float coat or suit if you have one."