Emergency Rescue Launched After Drone Pilot Spots Lost New York Hiker That Fell Through Thin Ice

NEW YORK, BEWARE OF THIN ICE!

What would you do if you were alone in the middle of a wildlife management area and you fall through thin ice? Luckily for one New York hiker, a drone pilot was able to spot the individual but were crews able to reach him before hypothermia set in? Here's his story.

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On Sunday January 28th, according to a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) press release, New York State Forest Rangers received a call regarding a subject that had fallen through thin ice at the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area in Lysander, NY.

The Oswego County Sheriff's office deployed their drone in an attempt to locate the individual. At approximately 4pm the drone pilot not only spotted the subject but was able to direct a rescue team to him.

The lost individual, a 38-year-old male from Baldwinsville, NY., had been walking along the marshy area when the ice underneath him gave way. Experts say to stay off ice until it's at least 3 inches thick. In this case the ice was an inch and a half thick.

New York Forest Rangers, Oswego County Sheriff's office and the Phoenix Fire Department report that this individual had been wearing hip waders, which flooded after falling into the icy waters.

The subject in this case was able to reach an island, remove the hip waders and move around to keep warm. Belgium Cold Springs Fire Department used an inflatable boat to get the individual, who had mild hypothermia, to safety.