Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Two stranded ice fishermen were rescued from Lake Erie near Evans on Sunday night.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office releasing details Tuesday morning about the search and rescue operation.
At least one fisherman was unable to return to shore after a sheet of ice had
separated on Lake Erie.
The crew aboard the Air 1 helicopter used infrared technology to locate the pair about one mile offshore.
A Coast Guard skiff boat was deployed to rescue one of the fishermen.
A Sheriff's Lieutenant dropped down from Air 1 to rescue the second fisherman, who was then flown to Sturgeon Point Marina to be observed by the Evans Fire Department.
WBEN and WKBW Meteorologist Aaron Mentkowski said rising temperatures, rain, and sun are rapidly weakening ice, making conditions unpredictable.
"I just looked at a satellite image of the lake. There are a lot of cracks in the ice and a lot of open water. Lake Erie ice coverage is about 70%, down from 96% last month," said Mentkowski.
He added with the way temperatures are fluctuating, the ice is starting to shift.
"This week, we're going to see a lot ice melting and a lot more movement on the ice shelf," Mentkowski said. "Being a mile out, I can see why someone had to be rescued."
Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said the successful rescue highlights the importance of investing in equipment and technology, as well as year-round training and teamwork.