(WWJ) - Authorities say a tragedy was narrowly avoided during an ice fishing trip on an Oakland County lake.
First responders were called to the 700 block of W. Leonard Road, which sits on Lake George, around 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 26 to reports that two people had fallen through the ice. Lake George is in Addison Township, east of Oxford.
A 66-year-old man from Livonia and his 15-year-old grandson, of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, had gone out to ice fish. They were drilling a hole when the ice gave way and the Livonia man fell through. His grandson called 911 before attempting to pull his grandfather out of the water. The ice broke and he also ended up in the water.
A neighbor saw the two fall in and grabbed a kayak to attempt a rescue.
The neighbor was able to help the grandson out of the water, then returned with a second kayak to help pull the grandfather out. The ice kept breaking so he was unable to, but he was able to keep the grandfather’s head above the water while they waited for rescuers.
Addison Township firefighters were able to get the grandfather out after securing a line around him and pulling him to safer ice. Paramedics performed CPR on the man before transporting him to a local hospital.
The grandfather is listed in critical condition. The grandson was treated and released.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the “selfless actions of the neighbor and the quick response by rescuers” saved the pair.
“The temperatures have had such a large degree of fluctuation that we encourage the public to stay off the ice,” Bouchard said. “There is no ice that could be considered safe at this time. The quick actions of the neighbor and rescuers prevented what would have surely been an unspeakable tragedy for this family.”
Along with the Addison Twp. firefighters, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office all responded to assist with the rescue.
Neither the grandson nor grandfather were wearing life jackets. Authorities said they do not believe alcohol was a factor.