VERNON, Conn. (WTNH) — A woman is in “stable” condition after falling through ice Christmas Day on Bolton Lake, according to Vernon Police.
Rescue workers responded to the lake Wednesday morning and performed lifesaving measures before the woman was airlifted to Hartford Hospital.
Residents who live around the lake told News 8 they saw a large emergency response near one of the dams that separates two portions of the larger lake system.
“There was a lot of ambulances, and [I] kind of had a bad feeling that something had happened on the ice,” Beth Boland, a lakeside resident, said.
Boland and other locals said they treat the lake with caution in the winter – always aware of the fact that ice can be unpredictable.
“I never trust it and never like to go on it,” Boland said. “It always makes me nervous when I see other people out there.”
A top state official echoed that cautious sentiment in remarks to reporters on Thursday.
“Despite a wonderful stretch of winter weather, ice across much of the state is not safe,” Malcolm Trumble, deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), said.
Trumble said that you shouldn’t consider going onto ice unless there are at least four inches of clear, solid ice. Trumble stressed that ice is never 100% safe and those looking to recreate on ice should take precautions.
Safety equipment is highly recommended.
“Traction devices, spikes, for your shoes so you can be safe that way,” Trumble said. “A throw rope, ice picks – a life jacket so you’re prepared in case someone does go through the ice.”
