Don't play on ice, warn fire-fighters

Photo: Graham Ward

Hollingworth Lake

Young people are being warned about the dangers of playing on ice after a 14-year-old fell through and had to be rescued.

The boy was on Chadwick Dam in Stalybridge with his friend when ice gave way, plunging him up to his waist in the cold water.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager, Nick Pine, said: "He had been walking across the frozen water with his friend when he fell through in the middle. He was totally submerged at first but luckily he came up and managed to stand up, leaving him in the water up to his midriff and he had been trying for about 10 minutes to get out."

Fire-fighters used throw lines and an inflatable hose to reach the youngster and pulled him to safety. He was taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.

The incident is one of a series GMFRS has been called to recently and crews fear there may be more unless people heed safety advice.

Locally, on 4 February, fire crews came to the rescue of two dogs - one in Queen's Park Lake, Heywood, and the other from the canal in Rochdale.

Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton, said: "With temperatures increasing following the recent cold snap, ice is thawing and is becoming an increasing danger as it thins out. You just don't know what weight it can take and people are finding out when it is too late.

"GMFRS has attended a number of incidents where a dog has fallen through - if the ice can't take the weight of a dog, it is certainly not going to take the weight of a person. Please don't take the risk. Stay off the ice and if you are walking your dog, keep them on a lead."

The Fire Service is now arranging visits to local schools to remind pupils about the dangers of playing on the ice.