The Maine Warden Service is urging everyone to check the ice before venturing out onto any frozen waterbody, as a tragedy was averted as a Game Warden and ice fisherman teamed up to rescue a man who had fallen through the ice and could not get out.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. today, Game Warden Cody York was checking Miles Pelletier of Industry, an ice fisherman who was fishing on Clearwater Pond in Industry when both the game warden and the angler could hear a man’s voice yelling for help from across the pond.

Warden York scanned the shoreline where he heard the voice, but did not see anything unusual. As a precaution, Warden York and Pelletier decided to drive to Moes Cove Road where they heard the yelling.

Upon getting to the cove, they saw that David Beaudoin, age 68 of Industry, had broken through the ice about fifteen feet from shore, and he was in over his head. The warden and angler were able to get a rope to the man, and drag him out of the water and safely to shore.

Beaudoin was extremely hypothermic and unable to move or speak after being in the water for an extended period of time. Warden York and Pelletier took Beaudoin into the warden truck to warm him up until the Farmington/Industry EMS ambulance arrived. Beaudoin was taken to Northern Light Franklin Memorial Hospital. Warden York followed up with the family later that day, and Beaudoin was doing well, as he was eating and fully alert.

Game wardens remind everyone to check the ice before venturing onto any frozen waterbody. For more information on ice safety, please visit: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/programs-resources/outdoor-safety/ice-safety-tips.html