A tragic accident occurred on Christmas Eve in the Rural Municipality of Hanover, Manitoba, when a skid-steer loader fell through the ice on a private pond, resulting in the death of a 58-year-old man operating the machine. This unfortunate event has left a lasting impact on the family affected and the local community.
The incident required the assistance of the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team (HEART), RCMP, and the La Broquerie Fire Department. Due to the pond’s depth, which reached approximately 20 feet, HEART was summoned for the delicate task of recovery. The underwater team faced challenges, including low visibility, necessitating the use of sonar equipment to locate the missing operator’s body, discovered about 30 feet from the loader.
Jean-Claude Normandeau, the fire chief of La Broquerie, noted the emotional toll on both the family and the emergency responders, as such accidents often involve people known personally within rural communities.
The Steinbach RCMP continues to investigate. Lorne Edwards from Lifesaving Society Manitoba emphasized that winter drownings are a significant concern, comprising a third of all such incidents in the province. The Manitoba government highlighted that early winter ice can be perilously thin, urging the public to exercise caution.
Edwards provided several ice safety recommendations, including checking ice depth with a drill before venturing out, wearing buoyant suits or life jackets, and bringing along essential safety gear like ice picks and ropes. He advised against traveling on ice alone, particularly at night or on snow-covered surfaces, and underscored the importance of not rushing to rescue others without caution, to avoid further danger.
This incident underscores the critical need for awareness and preparation when engaging in activities on ice, as unforeseen accidents can have profound and lasting consequences.
