MANCHESTER — Multiple fire departments and emergency crews responded after three juveniles became stranded on an icy island at Pine Lake, prompting a coordinated ice rescue.
At about 5:00 p.m. January 24, before the big snow storm, first responders from Whiting, Manchester, Ridgeway and Lakehurst were dispatched to the lake after reports that the youths had walked out onto the frozen surface and could not safely return to shore.
Specially trained ice rescue technicians from Lakehurst and Ridgeway made contact with the juveniles and guided them back to the beach without incident. Rescue divers from Whiting were staged nearby as a precaution while the operation was underway.
Once back on shore, the juveniles were evaluated by Manchester EMS. No injuries were reported.
Officials used the incident to renew warnings about the dangers of frozen lakes and ponds, stressing that ice conditions can change rapidly and may not support a person’s weight even if the surface appears solid.
Emergency officials urged residents to stay off frozen bodies of water and to treat ice as unpredictable and hazardous.
