One man drowned and another man was rescued after their UTV went into open water on Lake Winnebago Saturday…north of Lakeside Park. The incident happened early Saturday afternoon about a quarter mile north of the Fond du Lac Yacht Club. According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office two bystanders were able to pull the men out of the water onto the ice. A deputy and a City of Fond du Lac Police Officer were given a ride by a bystander in a UTV to the scene but were unable to reach the involved individuals due to an active crack in the ice and 15-20 feet of open water. They provided guidance and an AED to the good Samaritans that were still helping the driver and passenger of the UTV. Eventually, the Fond du Lac County SARC with City of Fond du Lac Fire personnel arrived on scene and transported both the driver and passenger to shore. When paramedics arrived they began CPR on a man who was reported pulseless and not breathing. The 67 year old town of Taycheeda man was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. A 56 year old Fond du Lac man was treated for hypothermic related symptoms. The Sheriff’s Office says both the driver and the passenger were wearing their seatbelts but did not have helmets or flotation devices. Unfamiliarity with where the active crack was, which was marked with downed Christmas trees, appears to be a factor in the crash. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that the ice is never 100% safe and to be vigilant with the changing ice conditions.
