Ice rescue in Ajax prompts safety warnings from Durham Police
Published March 1, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Last week’s rescue of two teens who fell through ice at a pond in Ajax has prompted Durham Regional Police to remind the public that many lakes and streams are not completely frozen and are not safe to travel on.
Ajax Fire crew members, with the assistance from Durham Police and bystanders on the scene, were able to help the youths make it safely back to shore after falling through ice at a reservoir pond.
In addition to reservoir ponds, creeks and rivers and rivers and other small bodies of water, Durham Region has three large lakes – Ontario, Scugog Simcoe – which all have unique ice characteristics and freeze and thaw at different times in different locations.
All bodies of water at this time of year can be very unpredictable, police noted.
“No ice or body of water is ever entirely safe. Anyone enjoying recreational activities near a body of water must make their personal safety a top priority,” Durham Police declared. “Remember to make smart, educated choices about water safety. This can greatly reduce the possibility of accidents that put both you and responding emergency services personnel in danger.”
Safety tips around frozen water include:
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- Know the condition of the ice before you go out and take into consideration the recent changes the weather may have had.
- Never go out on the ice alone; tell someone your plans, where you are going and what time you are expected back.
- Be prepared with an emergency kit.
