Wisconsin resident rescues two ice fishermen from freezing pond
By TJ Dysart
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DOUSMAN, Wisconsin (WISN) — Ryan Rossi, a resident of Dousman, quickly responded to cries for help and rescued two ice fishers who fell into a freezing pond near his home on Thursday afternoon.
The incident occurred just after 1:30 p.m. at a private pond near Red Pine Circle, according to officials from the Western Lakes Fire Department.
Rossi heard screams from the pond while in the basement of his home.
“I kind of grabbed a sand rake and started inching out there in my shorts and T-shirt,” Rossi said. “I was able to get them out safely, but you know the ice kept breaking on everybody.”
The Western Lakes Fire Department had previously issued a warning on Facebook about the dangers of ice sports as temperatures rise.
Battalion Chief Travis Giannini emphasized the risks, stating,
“No ice is safe ice; there is always the potential to fall through,” Battalion Chief Travis Giannini said.
Giannini responded to the scene with a dive team but found the fishers had already been rescued.
“They were actually pulled from the water before we even got there, so they’re very fortunate for that,” Gianni said.
Giannini highlighted the dangers of hypothermia, noting, “You can go into hypothermia pretty quick. I don’t know how cold the water was, but the ice being on top of it, it’s at least less than 32 degrees, and your body’s core temperature is 98.7.”
Rossi sustained minor scrapes on his legs from the rescue.
“It is like glass, they said, you know, pretty sharp,” Rossi said.
Reflecting on the experience, Rossi admitted, “Yeah, you know I might still be on adrenaline.”
The Western Lakes Fire Department reported that the two fishermen were evaluated on the scene and are now recovering at home.
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