Family of 3 rescued after falling through ice on Big Bear Lake
A family of three was pulled from the freezing waters of Big Bear Lake on Saturday after they fell through the ice, despite nearby signs warning them to stay away, sheriff’s officials said.
The father, mother and daughter walked out on to a frozen-over portion of the lake at around 2:33 p.m., according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman as well as several witnesses to the incident.
As they moved further out, the ice cracked and all three fell into the water.
“Three people fell through the ice right down there,” said one woman on Instagram with the username BeachSnowChick. “(We) just happened to be driving by … we came and grabbed our tow strap.”
View this post on InstagramRemember when I posted a few weeks back STAY OFF LAKE ICE! Well it happened today. A family of three fell through the ice and we assisted in the rescue. We tried to throw out our tow strap but it was too short and heavy. The Big Bear sheriffs responded quickly and did an amazing job getting the family out. I decided to share this on my feed in hopes that this educates people to stay off the damn ice! @telemundo52 #stayoffice #stayofflakeice #icewaterrescue #icerescue #bigbear #bigbearlake #socalmountains #sbnf #cbsla #ktla #abceyewitness #winterconditions #winterwarnings #besafe
The Instagram user filmed sheriff’s deputies near the water’s edge, apparently just after the rescue. The video showed emergency vehicles crowding a street with traffic backed up behind them.
The woman in the video said she and her husband attempted to throw the tow strap out to the family, but it was too short.
Jodi Miller, the SBSD spokeswoman, said deputies arrived quickly and, after tossing a rope for the family to grab on to, got all of them out in about three minutes.
The family appeared to be OK — Miller said San Bernardino County firefighters were dispatched, but the family refused medical treatment.
Dan Cupido, a reporter who published photos of the family prone on the ice being pulled to safety, said on Facebook there were signs near the water warning to stay off the ice.
Miller also confirmed there were numerous signs posted around the lake. She said the father was cited for failing to heed the warnings.
In a Facebook post, the Big Bear Fire Department said the incident was an example of the “dangers of playing on lake ice.”
“Did you know that if you fall into water that is 35 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, that your hands and feet stop working in 2 minutes or less?” fire officials said. “If not rescued within 15 minutes, unconsciousness and/or death can occur. Please stay off the ice for yours and your (family’s) safety!”