Ice skater rescued after 40 minutes treading frigid water
A skater was rescued from the icy waters of the Langeraarse Plassen in Ter Aar on Sunday some 40 minutes after he fell through the thin ice, RTL Nieuws reports.
The man was rescued by divers from the fire department, a police officer and a bystander. He was rushed to hospital. Paramedics examined the rescuers at the scene. They were unharmed.
After an icy week, the weather in the Netherlands warmed up over the weekend, yet daredevil skating enthusiasts still attempted the natural ice. Police units in all regions reported rescuing people from icy water on Sunday, according to broadcaster NOS.
Various police stations issued warnings on social media, ordering people to stay off the ice. "You also put others in danger", the Leiden Zuid police said on Twitter. "Don't put yourself and aid workers in danger", the Charlois police said.
Levensgevaarlijk!
— Politie Basisteam Charlois (@POL_Charlois) March 4, 2018
Wij vroegen de man om direct van het ijs af te komen.
Daar was helaas flink wat overredingskracht voor nodig. Het ijs is nu absoluut onbetrouwbaar.
Breng jezelf & hulpverleners niet onnodig in gevaar!
(Beelden met zijn toestemming) ^TV pic.twitter.com/VwK5RlEVA1
⚠️ Op meerdere plekken in de regio zakken mensen door het ijs. Het kan ECHT NIET MEER! Ga het ijs niet op en neem het risico niet. U brengt hierdoor ook anderen in gevaar. #dooi #verdrinkingsgevaar
— Politie Basisteam Leiden Zuid (@POL_LeidenZuid) March 4, 2018