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View Full Version : Two Snowmobiles Go Through Ice On Lake Francis In NH


ewelin
Feb 23, 2006, 04:07 PM
Mild winter is definitely leaving it's mark...

February 20. 2006
Pittsburg

Snowmobilers rescued after falling through ice

Two snowmobilers were rescued after their snow machines went through the ice at Lake Francis State Park.

Fish and Game officers said they were checking on some ice fishermen Saturday afternoon when a man ran up to them and said his friend had gone through the ice.

Using an inner tube and a rope, the conservation officers and other snowmobilers rescued Joseph Fiorello, 21, of Woburn, Mass.

The conservation officers were warming Fiorello up inside a state park building when they saw a large group of snowmobiles approaching. They tried to warn the drivers away from the weak ice, but one machine went through.

Ronald Piazza, 68, was taken to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook to be checked for hypothermia, Fish and Game officials said. He was treated and released, a nurse said yesterday.

Piazza's hometown was not available, but authorities said they believe he lives in Massachusetts and has a camp in the Pittsburg area.

Fish and Game officials warned that this winter's warm temperatures have left the ice thin on many lakes and ponds, especially where streams or brooks flow into them.

The area where the snowmobiles went through the ice was where the Connecticut River flows into Lake Francis.

Hopefully someone has marked the weak ice... I wonder what the odds of something like that happening are.

Tynan19
Feb 23, 2006, 04:47 PM
The guys from Pitts said those two were like the 6th or 7th sled to go through in the same spot.

ewelin
Feb 23, 2006, 05:22 PM
wow... that's just crazy.

strangeland2
Feb 23, 2006, 06:54 PM
im not into more laws for snowmobiling but perhaps nh and maine need to make a law that states no massholes on the lakes unless given permission by the proper officials

Tynan19
Feb 24, 2006, 01:45 AM
That was funny, I don't think that they where all Massholes. The problem up there is that there is a cove with a river that provides current causing the ice depth to fluctuate. There is a state park that is well lit that draws sledders to the lights like fly's to a zapper. That is when they go throught he ice. The NH enviro's have not set up any warning signs in the area to deter anyone from heading in there.

ewelin
Feb 24, 2006, 08:09 AM
Maine... don't you mean NH... :-P One would think that if it happens every year they would set something up to warm riders.

Tynan19
Feb 24, 2006, 08:29 AM
It has to do with leaving any warnings on the ice I believe for ice out. Polluting the water or what not.

ewelin
Feb 25, 2006, 08:24 PM
interesting... I guess I never thought of it that way before....