Ice level warning issued after snowmobiler crashes through Nashwaak River

Emergency response officials are warning about unsafe ice conditions after a Fredericton-area snowmobiler fell through the ice on the Nashwaak River over the weekend and had to be treated in hospital for hypothermia.

The incidentoccurred onSunday at about 1 a.m., between Nashwaak Village and Durham Bridge, said Nashwaak Valley Fire Chief Stephen Bliss.

A firefighter noticed the incident while driving by, he said.

When Fredericton firefighters attempted to rescue the man, they also fell through the ice, said Bliss.

The snowmobiler was hauled out of the water within about 30 minutes, treated inhospital for hypothermia, and later released.

Bliss says the incidentcould have been much more serious. The river was probably up to eightfeet deep, narrow and fast in that area, followingrecent rain and some ice jamming, he said.

Despite recent lower temperatures, ice levels on rivers and lakes are not yet safe, Bliss stressed.

"There's no guarantees anywhere along that river that it's safe to cross unless they've done some research and checked it out. But just driving out on it, they're taking their lives in their hands."