Recent mild weather may be to blame for the death of an elderly ice fisherman in B.C.'s Interior.
The 70-year-old Vernon resident and his 60-year-old companion were fishing early Friday morning on Wood Lake, south of Vernon, when the ice cracked beneath them.
The men were about 350 metres from shore.
The elder man was submerged completely under the ice, while the other -- who was wearing a life jacket -- managed to hang on to the side and scream for help.
His cries alerted two nearby ice fishermen and they helped the Lake Country Fire Department's ice rescue team pull both men from the water.
The elder man was taken to Kelowna hospital in critical condition, but died from his injuries Friday afternoon. His name is not being released until his family is notified.
His companion was treated for hypothermia and has been released.
Both are said to be experienced fishermen.
The lake is a popular ice fishing spot and police say recent mild weather has quickly softened the ice.
RCMP Const. Steve Holmes says the message is clear that people shouldn't go out on the lake ice where the temperature has been above zero because they are only putting themselves in danger.
Several area residents told CTV News anyone wanting to get on the ice would be forced to cross open waters first.
"You got open water here...about eight feet from the shoreline," said Merle Vath. "Anybody in their own wisdom would know better to navigate across that kind of condition to get onto solid ice is ludicrous."
With files from The Canadian Press
