INDIAN PURCHASE TOWNSHIP, Maine — A Milford man drowned Friday morning after breaking through the ice on Quakish Lake in T3 Indian Purchase Township.
According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 62-year-old Walter Demmons was preparing to ice fish with a friend on Quakish Lake.
"The two of them were checking the ice thickness by drilling holes through the ice on Quakish Lake at about 9:30 this morning when they heard the ice crack," MDIFW said in a news release. "The two ice fishermen spread out in an attempt to not break through, but the ice broke, and both fell into the water about 75 yards from shore."
While attempting to get out of the water and back onto the ice, the two remained in communication with each other until the friend heard Demmons state he was not going to make it.
The other fisherman said he saw Demmons submerge beneath the water and never came back up, according to MDIFW. The friend successfully got out of the water and called 911.
Maine game wardens as well as fire departments from Millinocket and Brownville responded to the scene where an ice rescue raft was deployed to retrieve Demmons from the water. Demmons' body was taken to Lamson Funeral Home in Millinocket and his friend was taken to Millinocket Regional Hospital for treatment of hypothermia. The friend has since been released from the hospital, according to the release.
Game wardens are urging anyone who plans to venture out onto ice to frequently check ice conditions and practice caution.
"Early season ice conditions can be treacherous," MDIFW said.
You can find winter ice safety tips by clicking here.