Either we sit back and see more people die (still won't generate more money; there is no money!) or we look for other solutions. Like this crew did, but failed
.
The single adult on the ice is often a dog owner who is trying to retrieve their (lower mass, unleashed) pet. Northern Ireland already has a dog license so there's already a facility to remind owners about stupid actions to try to reduce deaths/cost.
The park wardens who risked their lives to save the previous idiot were wise enough to spread their weight, gets a mention at the tail end of this coverage:
Man dies after frozen lake fall - Belfast Today
A MAN aged 51 has died after falling into a frozen lake in Lurgan Park on Sunday afternoon.
Two fire service crew and a paramedic also ended up in the water during an attempt to save the victim.
A police helicopter was tasked to the Co Armagh park at around 2pm, beginning a dramatic two-hour rescue bid involving around 100 members of the emergency services.
Eyewitnesses said that a police officer balancing on the skid of the helicopter helped hoist the man onto the ice.
However, as the drama unfolded, two fire service crew and a paramedic ended up in the lake when the inflatable boat they were in capsized.
It is understood two of them swam to shore, however one was rescued by the fire service special rescue team.
The victim was airlifted to hospital by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter which was tasked from Dublin.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Using the police helicopter officers managed to hoist the man from the water onto the ice.
"As other emergency services tried to reach him in a boat in treacherous conditions, two fire service personnel and a paramedic fell into the water.
"Two of the three swam ashore and one was rescued by the fire service special rescue team.
"The three were later taken to hospital."
The victim was brought to shore and attended to by paramedics and an off-duty doctor who had been in the area at the time.
He was transferred to hospital by Coast Guard helicopter.
Police superintendent Alister Robinson, Commander for E District, said: "I have nothing but praise and admiration for all the emergency service personnel who attended the scene. All of them risked their lives. It is a testament to the bravery, skill and selfessness and cooperation of all the agencies that were present."
The PSNI has appealed for witnesses. A spokesperson said it is understood there were a number of people in the area at the time.
Sean McCann, Station Officer with the local Coast Guard, said a helicopter from Dublin's Coast Guard was tasked and airlifted the initial casualty to hospital.
It was revealed yesterday that the Coast Guard control centre at Bangor may have to close due to government cutbacks.
"It was sterling work by the fire service and also by the police helicopter. One of my colleagues was here at the initial rescue. The police helicopter actually went down to the water's edge and helped with the rescue. One person was hanging onto the skid of the helicopter which was quite heroic.
"They have to be commended for their sterling effort," said Mr McCann.
And he issued a stern warning: "Stay off the ice, any ice. Not only this lake but all."
Mr McCann said there must have been more than 100 members of the emergency services involved in the rescue, from ambulance personnel, fire service, Lough Neagh Rescue, the Coast Guard and the police.
Last week a man was rescued from the same lake after going into the water to save his dog. Two park wardens risked their lives and
crawled on their stomachs to reach the man who fell through the ice.
And the week before a dog died on Lurgan Park lake after falling through the ice.
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Another one. Fatalities: 1 dog, 1 human:
Man dies after falling through ice into lake (From Echo)
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And another one: Fatalities: 1 dog, 0 humans.
Dogowner dives into freezing Eastbourne lake trying to save pet (From The Argus)
(Fire) Crew manager Justin Stoneham said: “We would ask any members of the public not to try and rescue their dogs from water but to phone the emergency services instead.