Two men and a dog in Minnesota fell through the ice while ice fishing earlier this month but were helped by an Anoka County Sheriff’s deputy, who selflessly braved crossing thin ice to perform a daring rescue.
On Dec. 3, at about 3:34 p.m., deputies and St. Francis Police officers arrived on the scene, located along Garnet St., north of Minneapolis, and found the men and pet stranded, having fallen through the ice.
A passerby who saw them struggling had managed to push a canoe out to keep them afloat while they awaited help. They had been immersed for an extended period and were hypothermic, as temperatures hovered just over freezing. The overly-thin ice and warmer temperatures were likely contributing factors in the incident.
After officers arrived, while they awaited marine rescuers, Deputy Chris Fjeld recognized the serious danger the men were in and took decisive action, placing his own life at risk.
Cooperating with officers ashore, he secured himself to a rope held by his colleagues on the dock and crawled out onto the thin ice to fetch the men and dog.
Video captured from a body camera on one of the officers ashore reveals the moment of the rescue as it unfolds.
“Where are you going?” one officer is heard saying. “Chris, I don’t like it.”
“Either do I, but these guys are hypothermic,” Deputy Fjeld said.
The selfless deputy was able to reach the stranded party and help them crawl across the ice back to shore one by one. First responders then helped them onto dry ground.
They were transported by Allina EMS to a hospital and are doing well, Anoka County Sheriff’s Office stated.
“Deputy Fjeld made the decision to begin the rescue before the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office’s Marine Unit equipment and resources arrived,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We are thankful all involved are ok and are proud of Deputy Fjeld’s selfless actions to help others in need.”
“By walking onto the ice when it is still too thin,” the Sheriff’s Office writes, “you are putting yourself at significant risk of falling through and experiencing hypothermia or death.”
