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 forms the southern border of the City of Hoyt Lakes.
Crews were called after a report of a deer that had broken through the thin ice and could not escape. The animal was struggling in the cold water when firefighters arrived.
Firefighters used ice rescue tools and ropes to reach the trapped animal. Video posted on the department’s Facebook page shows crews pulling the deer to safer ice and then to shore. The clip can be seen at facebook.com.
After the deer reached land, firefighters removed the ropes. The animal stood up, gathered itself, and ran into nearby brush.
In a statement, the Hoyt Lakes Fire Department said its crew “safely assisted the animal.” The department said the deer was freed and able to return to the wild without injury.
Hoyt Lakes sits about 50 miles north of Duluth and 15 miles east of Virginia. The area has many lakes and wetlands that draw anglers, snowmobilers, and other outdoor users.
Officials say the rescue highlights the risk of early winter ice. Ice may look solid from shore, but it can still be thin and unsafe, especially near inlets and outlets.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers detailed ice safety guidance and thickness rules for the public. Those tips are posted at dnr.state.mn.us.
Firefighters remind people not to attempt their own ice rescues. They say the safest move is to call 911 and guide trained crews to the scene.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.