Maine Man Rescued From Frigid Water After Falling Through The Ice

A Maine man was saved by Game Wardens after he fell through the ice into frigid waters.

Maine Man is Saved By a Game Warden and Ice Fisherman After Falling Through the Ice

It was David Beaudoin's lucky day when a Warden happened to be within earshot after he broke through the ice at approximately 11:00 Wednesday morning. The 68-year-old was on the other side of Clearwater Pond from where Game Warden Cody York was checking Miles Pelletier of Industry, who was ice fishing on the pond.

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The Industry Man Was Extremely Hypothermic and Unable to Move or Talk

Warden York and Mr. Pelletier heard Beaudoin's cries for help, but a scan of the shoreline didn't reveal anything unusual. As a precaution, they decided to drive to Moes Cove Road, where they'd heard the yelling. When they arrived, they saw that Beaudoin had broken through the ice about fifteen feet from shore and he was in over his head. The two men got a rope to Beaudoin and dragged him to safety.

Officials say Mr. Beaudoin was extremely hypothermic and couldn't move or speak after being in the frigid water. He was taken to the Warden's truck to warm up until the Farmington/Industry EMS ambulance arrived and transported him to a local hospital. When Warden York followed up with his family a while later, they told him the 68-year-old was alert and eating, thanks to the quick thinking of his rescuers.

Game Wardens are Warning Mainers to Check the Ice Thickness Frequently

The Maine Warden Service is urging people to check the ice before venturing out. It's not enough to check it once, but officials say it should be checked every few feet because frozen shorelines are not guarantees of stability farther out on the ice.