It was a close call for two people who fell through the ice on Dog Lake, northeast of Kingston.
The Frontenac Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), South Frontenac Fire and Rescue and Frontenac Paramedics were called to the scene, east of Battersea, shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
The two males had walked onto the ice to go fishing in the Gilmour Point Beach area. They both fell through the ice into the cold water but had managed to pull themselves out but were stranded. Someone in the area heard their cries for help and called to report it.
Firefighters, who are specially trained and equipped for cold-water and ice rescues, also fell into the water several times while trying to locate the two men.
The OPP Emergency Response Team deployed a remote piloted aerial system (drone) and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre dispatched a two aircraft from CFB Trenton’s 424 Search and Rescue Squadron to help with the search.
The pair was finally located by the Emergency Response Team’s drone and firefighters about half a kilometre from shore. Firefighters successfully brought them back to land. The pair was transported to hospital to be checked out and were later released.
Early-season ice is often dangerously thin and unpredictable. Breaking through the ice and experiencing cold-water immersion can become life-threatening within minutes.
OPP officials say taking unnecessary risks not only endangers those who do it but also puts emergency responders in harm’s way during rescue efforts.
They are urging everyone to please make safety your top priority.
