JULIA BAY—Following three separate incidents of individuals going through the ice over the weekend, the Ontario Provincial Police are warning people to steer clear of the ice as it is no longer safe.
Constable Al Haner reported to the Expositor that, just after 1 pm on Saturday, April 1, police received a call regarding a four-wheeler that had gone through the ice off Deacon’s Point at Julia Bay in the North Channel near Barrie Island with an ice rescue needed. One of the passengers was able to pull themselves to safety, but the other passenger was unable to remove themselves from the water. Residents came to the rescue of the individual and were able to pull him from the water. He was then brought to hospital for treatment and has since been released. See Wednesday’s edition of The Manitoulin Expositor for the complete harrowing tale.
The next day, on Sunday, April 2, police received another report of a UTV that had gone through the ice on Lake Manitou about a mile-and-a-half from shore. The individual was able to leap from the UTV before the vehicle dropped below Manitou’s depths.
“Stay off the ice,” warns Constable Haner. “It’s become even worse since the weekend.”
Community Services Officer Constable Steve Hart also urged the public to stay away from the ice in light of recent events, both here and around the province, and the above zero temperatures. “It’s just not safe,” he emphasized.
