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Coast Guard rescues two from icy Saginaw River

January 29, 2015

Petty Officer 3rd Class James Caraglin crawls toward Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeremiah Honeycutt as he practices an ice-rescue technique during a training session in Ashtabula, Ohio, Jan. 14, 2015.

Ice rescue is the main mission during the winter months at Station Ashtabula and crew members practice regularly to maintain proficiency.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read

 

Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Benson, executive petty officer of Coast Guard Station Buffalo, N.Y., demonstrates the various ice rescue techniques, near the Ice Capabilities Center of Excellence located at Coast Guard Station Saginaw River in Essexville, Mich., Jan. 15, 2014.

The I.C.C.E. is the home of the Coast Guard's National Ice Rescue School.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read

CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard crew rescued two men from the Saginaw River after they fell through the ice with their snowmobiles near the Consumers Power Plant early this morning.

The men's names are not being released and there is no Coast Guard imagery or video of this case.

Just after 8 a.m., the watchstander at Coast Guard Station Saginaw River, in Essexville, Michigan, received a report, from a good Samaritan, of a person through the ice at the mouth of the Saginaw River near the Consumers Power Plant. 

A Station Saginaw River crew responded aboard a 20-foot airboat, arrived on scene and rescued two men from the water. One was reported to be responsive, while the other was reported as unresponsive. 

Both men were transferred to emergency medical services personnel and taken to McLaren Bay Region hospital in Bay City, Michigan. 

"Ice is very unpredictable in nature and it's important that outdoor enthusiasts remember to prepare before heading out," said Chief Petty Officer Gabriel Settel, the assistant command center chief at Coast Guard Sector Detroit. "Ice is especially unpredictable near power plants, water intakes and other structures where current and other factors significantly affect it."

Coast Guard crews plan to assess the scene and monitor the situation for any potential pollution related to the snowmobiles. 

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