St. Louis County (trfnews.i234.me) — Firefighters in northern Minnesota helped save a deer that fell through thin ice on a St. Louis County lake.
The Hoyt Lakes Fire Department says the rescue happened Saturday on Whitewater Lake. The lake sits along the southern edge of the City of Hoyt Lakes.
Crews were called after someone saw a deer break through the thin ice and become trapped in the cold water. The animal was unable to climb back onto the ice.
Firefighters used rescue gear and ropes to reach the deer. The department posted a video of the effort on its Facebook page at facebook.com.
In the video, firefighters work carefully on the ice and in the water. They secure the deer with ropes and guide it back to shore.
After crews remove the ropes, the deer gets back on its feet. It then runs into nearby brush, showing no clear signs of injury.
In a statement with the video, the Hoyt Lakes Fire Department said crews “safely assisted the animal.” The department said the deer was freed and able to return to the wild.
Whitewater Lake is just south of Hoyt Lakes, about 50 miles north of Duluth and 15 miles east of Virginia. The area includes lakes, wetlands, and forests used by hunters and outdoor recreation fans.
Officials say the rescue is also a reminder about ice safety. Early and late season ice can be very thin, even when it looks solid from shore.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources posts ice thickness guidelines and safety tips for people who venture out on frozen lakes. That information is available at dnr.state.mn.us.
Fire departments often train for ice rescues because they can happen with both people and animals. Crews stress that bystanders should call 911 rather than attempt a rescue on their own.
More local updates from Hoyt Lakes and St. Louis County will be posted as they become available.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
