Lake Simcoe Idiots

[r.j.dawg]

Again it happened. After two weeks of warnings to stay off the ice, another huge rescue had to be organized because some people think they no more than the Natural Resources folks and the police. :facepalm: It happens every year but yesterday's rescue was the largest I can remember.
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...ake-simcoe-120309/20120309?hub=TorontoNewHome

 

[dubs283]

Re: Lake Simcoe Idiots

the dnr where i live says that NO ICE IS EVER SAFE!!!

they do not recommend anyone setting foot on a frozen lake, a liability issue for sure

but like we always say, there is no law against being stupid!!

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Lake Simcoe Idiots

That link also includes a commentary page which has the usual and predictable comments about Darwin, genetic links to IQ, recovering the cost of the rescue etc....plus a few about the merits of ice fishing in general...but the one that does kind of resonate with me is that not one woman was careless/stupid/arrogant/oblivious enough to be out on that ice.

Definitely one of the Canadian versions of "here, hold my beer....i want to try something...." :facepalm:

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Lake Simcoe Idiots

Reminds me of a rescue on Lake Erie several years ago, when 100 people were stranded on the ice out in front of us. Now the sheriff requires an ice fishing course, that tells people the first time is free, after that it's your dime. I think that summer fishing is warmer, and my boat was cheeper than a swamp boat.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Lake Simcoe Idiots

Yes there were women (at least one) out on the ice. She was interviewed on the news today. Stupidity makes no gender discrimination.

There was one serious injury when one fisherman tried to jump the widening crack with his ATV. He ended up in the water and with 300 (not a typo) stitches to his face and head.

Apparently the huge ice flow (1km x 1/2km) had virtually broken up and drifted 6km out into the lake by the time the last person was rescued. They are one very lucky bunch of fishermen. I don't understand why they don't bill each and everyone of them for the full cost of the rescue. There was no excuse for them being out there despite constant and repeated warnings.

 

[NewfieDan]

Re: Lake Simcoe Idiots

At least this rescue had better results than the one did on Jan 31 in Labrador.

A 14yr old boy set out on his snowmobile. He stopped at his grandmothers house on the way out of town. Later that Friday his grandmother didn't hear from him. She called RCMP to report he was missing. RCMP started a search and called Search and Rescue out of Gander,NL. There response? weather is too bad we can't come. But there were private aircraft already searching the area. 51hrs later search and rescue came, but it too late for 14yr old Burton Winters. A govt investigation followed to find out why Search and Rescue couldn't come. The investigation revealed the SAR had 2 out of 3 helicopters in for repair and they didn't respond to the RCMP call because Gander is a Maritime rescue center and, "if they went to the call for the search for Burton, they couldn't respond to another emergency call."

The were also waiting for second call to ensure they were needed. At the time they would only respond after a second call is made. This has since been changed. SAR calls back to the location of the original call ensure their services are needed. IMHO, there should only be a need for a single call. For the last 2 months there has been memorials and walks and a demand for better search and rescue on the North east coast of Canada. So far it has made little difference.