NEWTON FALLS, New York (WWNY) – State police have released the names of the people who fell through the ice Sunday in St. Lawrence County, leaving 2 dead and 2 others suffering from hypothermia.
Troopers said 33-year-old Bryan LaPlante of Newton Falls and 48-year-old Michael Booth of Oswegatchie died.
They said 51-year-old Patrick LaPlante and an unnamed 6-year-old boy were treated at Clifton-Fine Hospital for hypothermia.
St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Richard Rusaw believes the group was returning from ice fishing when their snowmobile broke through the ice.
“There was ice fishing equipment that was floating in one of the open holes,” he said.
Police investigation
At 7:40 p.m. Sunday, police said they received a report that a snowmobile had fallen through the ice.
Troopers said their investigation found that 3 people were ice fishing Sunday on Chaumont Pond, which is connected to the Oswegatchie River in the town of Clifton.
According to police, Patrick LaPlante learned the 3 had not returned from fishing and went to the area to check on them.
Troopers said he found Bryan LaPlante in the water. Patrick crawled to him to rescue him, but also fell through the ice.
He was able to get out of the water and report the incident to emergency responders.
Police said Patrick LaPlante returned to his home to warm up.
According to troopers, the 6-year-old boy arrived at his house shortly after, having walked there from the scene.
Both Patrick LaPlante and the child were taken to the hospital.
Police said rescue crews found Bryan LaPlante and Michael Booth unresponsive in the water.
The men were taken to Gouverneur Hospital with CPR in progress. They were later pronounced dead.
A slightly different story
According to a person close to the situation, the child, his father, and a friend of the father were on a snowmobile when it fell through the ice.
The father was able to lift his child out of the water, but wasn’t able get himself or his friend out.
The child walked nearly 2 miles to get help and call 911.
7 News was told that the child found their grandfather, who rushed to the scene, where he also fell through the ice. He was able to get out of the water.
“They were members of our community and belonged to hunting clubs with some of the members, so it’s tough. Absolutely, we’re looking at doing a stress debrief for all those that were involved,” said Rusaw.
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