Michigan Fisherman Drowns After Falling Through Ice

CAMBRIDGE TOWNSHIP (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say a fisherman has died and another was hospitalized after they fell through ice on a lake in Lenawee County.

The sheriff's department said the two men were fishing on Timberlake in Cambridge Township when the shanty they were on gave way. Rescue teams were able to pull one of them from the water, but the body of the other was later recovered in 18 feet of icy water.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Lt. Jeff Ewald who offered ice fishermen and others enjoying the outdoors this winter this safety tip.

"They need to be sure to check the ice thickness; this ice was obviously too thin," Ewald said. "We hadn't really had enough cold weather to really thicken up the ice, and I think the early snowfall over the thin ice inhibited the ice from forming even more.

Ewald sais the ice should be at least 4 inches thick to hold humans and even thicker for motorcraft.

The lake is located in Cambridge Township, about 60 miles southwest of Detroit.

The sheriff's department said a Grass Lake man was being treated at a hospital. Both men were reportedly in their 50s or 60s.

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