Maine DIF&W officials say a driver didn't realize he was on ice when his truck broke through on Echo Lake.

SW Harbor Fire Officials Say the Driver Got Out of the Truck on Their Own

Mark Latti from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife says the driver was driving down Ikes Point Road and was unaware that he had driven onto the ice until the truck broke partially through. The man climbed out onto the top of the truck and called 911.

The Truck Went Through the Ice of Echo Lake Before Dawn on Saturday

It was shortly after 4:30 Saturday morning when the Southwest Harbor Fire Department was requested for assistance by the Mount Desert Fire Department. A 10 foot UHaul truck had been driven from Ike's Point, across Echo Lake, for over 400 yards before it broke through the ice. Initially, it only broke partway through the ice, that the Warden Service says was only an inch thick, where the truck was found. It was about two-and-a-half inches over most of the rest of the lake.

Southwest Harbor Fire Department via Facebook
Southwest Harbor Fire Department via Facebook
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When Mount Desert Fire officials arrived on the scene, they were able to walk out near the truck and carry the wet and cold driver back to shore, with help from the SWFD. The driver, whose name was not released, was taken to MDI Hospital, where he was treated and released. Officials say it does not appear that alcohol was a factor in this incident.

Later in the morning, the rental truck broke the rest of the way through the ice and became totally submerged by icy water. A Marine salvage company is now working to free the vehicle from the lake.

Maine Warden Service Has Urged Residents to Use Caution on the Ice

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife officials have issued warnings, in recent weeks, about ice conditions. Weather conditions have not allowed the ice to firm up enough to support vehicles and, in some areas, not even people. According to the Ice Safety tips on the Maine DIF&W website, it takes 12" to 15" of ice thickness to support a medium sized truck.

We'll update this story as more details become available.

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