UPDATE: All 122 fishermen stranded on Upper Red Lake have been rescued
(WDIO) – The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that they have rescued all 122 fishermen stranded on Upper Red Lake after their ice float detached from the main shoreline on Friday December the 29th.
our individuals fell into the open water when bystanders attempted a rescue via canoe before the arrival of emergency responders.
“When first responders arrived on scene they immediately began identifying a location that would be best suited to safely evacuate those stranded on the ice. Emergency responders staged at a resort on the southeastern shore of Upper Red Lake. Due to the fact that some anglers may not have been aware they were on the ice floe, Beltrami County Emergency Management sent out an Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Wireless Emergency Alert with instructions on where to evacuate.”
In an official statement, the sheriff’s office said, the evacuation conducted by emergency responders was by boat and airboat. No air support was needed as local responders were able to accomplish the mission before they would’ve arrived.
No injuries were reported and only the four that fell from the canoe ended up in the water.