THUNDER BAY - A man walking his dogs is lucky to be safely back home after he and his companions went through the ice on the Kaministiquia River.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to a call shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday morning to reports of a man in the Kam River near Mountdale Ave.
Before fire crews arrived, the man in his mid-40s was able to pull himself out of the river along with his dogs. He was checked by paramedics on scene and did not require further treatment.
The man entered the water when he went out onto the ice to retrieve his dogs who had gone through. Kelly Patterson, platoon chief with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, said if a pet goes through the ice, the safest course of action is to call 911.
“That pet will last a lot longer struggling in the water than a human will,” he said. “That gentleman is very lucky not to have gone under and stayed under. A dog can last there for probably an hour.”
Patterson also warned that the Kam River between Lake Superior and the Resolute Forest Products Paper Mill is always problematic because of the warm water emitted in the area.
He added with warmer temperatures and rain, venturing out onto any frozen surface can carry substantial risks, especially the Kam River.
“Ice conditions change fast in this weather, depending on current flows and temperatures,” he said. “As it stands right now, places on the Kam are wide open.”
