2026-Mar-09
23 Rescued After Being Stranded on a Georgian Bay Ice Shelf
A dramatic rescue operation unfolded just before noon on Sunday north of Owen Sound, after a massive ice shelf separated from the shoreline, stranding 23 ice fishers.
Driven by strong winds and currents, the group was swept approximately two kilometres out into the Bay. The situation turned life-threatening when the ice began to break apart, leaving some individuals partially submerged in the frigid water.
A massive coordinated effort involving the OPP Aviation and Marine units, local fire crews, paramedics, and Ornge air ambulance successfully airlifted all 23 people to safety by 2:30 PM. While some minor injuries and cases of hypothermia were reported, everyone is expected to make a full recovery.
Read a harrowing first-person account of the situation here.
While ice conditions may have appeared favorable earlier in the day, officials noted that a combination of recent mild temperatures and strong currents from river inlets created a “perfect storm” for instability. This incident highlights exactly why ice thickness is no longer a reliable indicator of safety during the spring thaw.
What to watch for:
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Rotten Ice – fluctuating temperatures create “honeycombed” ice that may look thick but lacks structural integrity
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Shoreline Gaps – wind and currents can separate ice from the shore in a matter of minutes
Remember: No ice is safe ice! This is especially true as the conditions change and we head into the spring season.
Read more about the rescue here and learn more about how ice loses it’s structural integrity and the myths of ice thickness here.