SUV Goes Through Thin Ice on Kandiyohi County’s Green Lake

(KNSI) — A 22-year-old Paynesville man is safe, but his Sunday evening was ruined when his sport utility vehicle went through the ice on Green Lake.

The man was driving his 2001 Chevrolet TrailBlazer about 100 yards in from the Rush Brown Landing when the front end broke through the ice. Thanks to some quick reactions, the man was able to avoid plunging into the frigid water by scampering through the window to safety. No one else was inside.

By the time everything was said and through, the entire SUV was fully submerged in about eight feet of water. Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and checked on the man’s condition. They then took measurements, noting the ice was only three to five inches thick in that spot. They say it had been driven across several times in recent days, and are warning the public about the thin ice.

The general recommendation is for ice to be 12-15 inches thick for a light truck or SUV to drive on. Three to five inches is on the verge of being unsafe even for snowmobiles.

The incident happened just after 7:00 p.m.

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