SAGINAW BAY, Mich. — The Coast Guard hoisted two people from the ice in Saginaw Bay at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
A Coast Guard Station Saginaw River airboat and a Coast Guard Air Station Detroit rescue helicopter were launched to locate and assist a 50-year-old male and a 29-year-old male.
Once on scene, the Air Station Detroit helicopter was able to pull each person aboard and transport them to awaiting Emergency Medical Services onshore. Both were taken to the hospital.
At the hospital the 50-year-old male was pronounced deceased and the 29-year-old male was treated and released.
While enroute to the rescue of the two males on the ice, the Air Station Detroit helicopter crew noticed six people on the ice that they thought might need assistance.
Station Saginaw River arrived on scene to assist and noticed three people had fallen through the ice. Station Saginaw River’s crew were able to transport one person safely to shore, the second person was able to make it to shore on their own, and the third person was pulled to safety by a good samaritan.
The other three people were witnesses onshore and were not in distress.
An initial call went through 9-1-1 and was relayed to the Coast Guard at approximately 8:30 p.m. about the three persons in the water. All three were checked out by Emergency Medical Services and released.
Ice is unpredictable and can become dangerous in a matter of seconds, the Coast Guard would like to remind people to be safe if they are going to venture out on the ice.
