Two brothers in two new vehicles fall through two spots in the ice.

[CAMAN]

And just another reason I won't be driving on ANY lake this year...

Quote:

Star Tribune

Two brothers in two new vehicles fall through two spots in the ice

February 8, 2012 - 8:11 AM

It was double trouble for two brothers in northwestern Minnesota, who separately crashed through thin ice in their new vehicles last week.

Both survived to tell the tale.

Here's what happened: One brother was leaving the family's ice fishing house on Little Pine Lake near Perham on Friday night, heading for shore in his 2011 Ford F-150 truck. There was thick fog, and he got disoriented and drove into open water where the Ottertail River enters the lake.

"He swam out and walked home" a half mile, DNR conservation officer Chris Vinton said. He had only had the truck for a few months, Vinton said.

The next morning, his brother left the shore at least a mile away in his 2012 Jeep, heading for their ice fishing house. The vehicle hit thin ice and started sinking.

"He got out before it went down,'' Vinton said. "It still had temporary tags on it.

Vinton said there was no explanation for the thin ice. "It was just a fluke thin spot,'' he said. Ice nearby was 20 inches thick. Both vehicles submerged in about 7 feet of water, he said.

Both men are in their 40s and know the lake well.

"It's so treacherous when driving on the ice -- it's never safe," Vinton said. "We've had horrible ice-making weather, and people need to be mindful of it. If you go onto the ice, always be prepared to fall in."

Vinton estimated that at least 40 fish houses in his area have gone through thin ice this season.

North Shore fishing

Salmon and coho fishing has been hot on the North Shore of Lake Superior recently, with some anglers getting out on the lake in boats.

DOUG SMITH

[Stick in Mud]

Man, not particularly surprising.

I guess this will just have to keep happening until people start walking out.

[c0untryf1sh3r]

I saw that in the paper at work. I feel bad for them both considering one drove into the water because of the fog and the other just plain hit thin ice, but I had to laugh at the fact that the Jeep still had temp tags on it. Even if we had a solid winter like we did last year I still wouldnt drive my BRAND NEW jeep on the ice. Glad they both made it out ok though.

[Stick in Mud]

Is a truck/car through the ice covered by insurance?!?

[NCLaker]

According to my State Farm agent, if you have comprehensive cvoverage it will cover the vehicle and recovery.

[Nick Kuhn]

According to my brain my legs also still work. Risking your life and property really isn't worth something that's merely convenience.

[Big Tom]

All 8 times out this year I have walked. Have to go through a channel and this year I won't even do it on the wheeler. Just too goofy a year for me to be one of "those" guys.

[ski_otter]

my insurance covers damage through ice, honestly not really worried about my truck though. I can get another one. I've been fishing the St Croix lately and parking on shore and walking to the WI side where the fish are and they sell beer on Sundays. Plenty of trucks bigger than mine driving out and there is 15+" of ice, actually seems more consistant than lakes I fish.

I drive on all the other places I fish but the river scares me even tho I'll drive out an hour N on 35 all day( have seen the ice develop and know where ice formed last)

[otterman91105]

It's crazy seeing them go through up there. My parents have a cabin on that lake and the ice is normally safe, but with this years weather no lake seems to be safe.

[mnviking28]

Perham is northwestern Minnesota?

[BeezeHound]

My State Farm agent told me they cover the cost of the vehicle but not the recovery, with Comp insurance

[McGurk]

Perham is northwestern Minnesota?

Yeah, I'd call that area West Central if you were to call it anything at all! It is Northwest of the twin cities, the absolute cardinal center of the state!

I wonder if their Dad took them out driving on the lake the next day due to the fact that they both lost their trucks...

[suncruiser234]

It's just southeast of DL.

[ozzie]

I would call your agent and ask them to call there claims department and ask again. I work for another insurance company and granted they are all different in some ways, I contacted our claims department when I started and the adjuster specifically told me that "we even cover the extraction which can be very expensive". I would think State Farm would have a similar policy but I definatley could be wrong about that. I do know my company will pay for the vehicle and the extraction if you have comprehensive coverage on the vehicle's policy.

[mnviking28]

My question was more tongue in cheek as it was more pointing out the fact that the wonderful reporters that work at the Trib don't necessarily know their geography that well!

[TKOGWEE]

Lets see here. Fog and a river. Um, anyone think that area might always be a bad spot? The only lakes I fish have no channels, springs, are not shallow and full of carp, no streams or rivers entering or exiting the lake and I consistently find a minimum of 10-11" of ice. Alaska fish and game HSOforum says 8" of clear ice can safely support 2 tons.