Two snowmobilers were rescued after falling through the ice on Burntwood River near Thompson on January 1, 2025. (RCMP HANDOUT)
Thompson RCMP and local emergency crews rescued two people stranded on ice after their snowmobile partially submerged near the Miles Hart Bridge on January 1.
Officers responded to the 9:05 p.m. call, locating a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl stranded on chunks of ice about 20-30 feet from shore. An RCMP telecommunications operator advised them to turn on their cell phone light, helping rescuers pinpoint their location.
The man had earlier fallen into the icy water but managed to pull himself out onto the ice. In -21°C temperatures, with a windchill of -28, officers threw jackets to the pair while a raft was brought through difficult terrain to complete the rescue.
Both individuals were taken to the hospital as a precaution and later released without injury.
“This was a very dangerous, and challenging rescue given the freezing temperatures and time of night it occurred,” said Superintendent Paul Peddle, Manitoba North District Commander.
“The officers responded quickly, along with Thompson Fire, and were all able to work together to bring both occupants to land safely for the best possible outcome.”
