OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Following Friday’s snow squall, cars are still needing to be pulled out of lakes Poygan and Winnebago.
Don Herman’s SUNK? Dive and Ice Service crew tells FOX 11 they’re responding to 24 vehicles that either sank to the bottom or fell in a crack on the ice.
“It was a whiteout. It was like a blizzard out there and the best thing for you to do. When you’re out fishing in a squall or whatever comes through a snow storm, just sit in your vehicle.”
That’s so your vehicle doesn’t end up needing to be towed off the lake.
Lt. Tim Eichman with the Winnebago County Sherriff’s Office says they’re still figuring out how many vehicles went in. He points to visibility as the hardest thing drivers had to work through.
“Even the fire departments were having a hard time locating people in need of rescue even though their lights or flashers on their vehicles were on.”
He adds some of those rescued were wet from going into the lakes and were treated on scene.
Systems Director for Gold Cross Ambulance Nick Romenesko says they responded to three ice rescues within their service area by Lake Winnebago.
Adding, the problem wasn’t just limited to people falling through the ice.
“People that were in ice shacks or ice shanties that physically could not find their way back to shore cause visibility was so poor.”
Whipping winds and blowing snow made the rescues challenging, with visibility also limited for first responders.
“On the ice with nothing blocking it, it was five to 10 feet. It wasn’t very easy for them to see,” said Romenesko. “Spotlights become pretty non useful in that situation because you’re just going to hit the snow flakes with the lights.”
After working sun up to sun down for the last five days, Herman has a message for those with cars in the lakes.
“They’re on the bottom. They’re not gonna go anywhere. Customers really want them out. But it’s probably the safest it’s ever been cause no one can steal it.”
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