Memphremagog Recovery Underway

STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASE

Recovery Operations in Progress on Lake Memphremagog
Sgt. Sean Selby, Vermont State Police - Derby, 802-334-8881
Newport Center, VT - 3/3/13 - On March 2, 2013 at approximately 7:30PM, the Vermont State Police in Derby received a report of an ice shanty and tractor going through the ice on Lake Memphremagog; off of McKinney Drive, off of Lake Road. At the time of the initial call it was unknown if there were any occupants in the shanty or tractor. Troopers from the Derby Barracks immediately responded to the incident; and called for assistance from Newport Center Fire Department and the US Border Patrol for a possible ice rescue.

Through the course of the response and investigation, it was determined to be likely that an adult male subject went into the water with the ice shanty and tractor. And at this time, he has not resurfaced.

Recovery operations continued, today, March 3. The Vermont State Police activated the VSP Scuba Team, and with the assistance Newport Center Fire Department and the US Border Patrol are continuing to search for the victim.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending the notification of next-of-kin.

State Police are reporting that the ice is not safe in all locations and if not familiar with the bodies of water to use extreme caution as there are weak spots in the lakes with the recent warm weather. Do not consider a place safe just because a vehicle has already traveled through an area.

When more information is available, an update will be released.