Stay off frozen waters as temperatures rise, police warn
Photo | Barry Butler Photography
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — Warmer temperatures are contributing to potentially dangerous accidents on frozen waters in northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin.
Fox Lake Fire Chief Ron Hoehne tells the (Lake County) News-Sun — "Our suggestion is to stay off the ice." Temperatures are forecast to rise this weekend.
The most recent accident occurred Monday. Hoehne says a 34-year-old snowmobile rider from Spring Grove was caught in frigid water for more than 20 minutes after he rode into open water.
Ice on the Chain O'Lakes can get to be about a foot thick, but other areas have no ice at all.
Lisa Hodgkinson Kindstrom has lived by Fox Lake for eight years. She says there's more open water this year than in other years.
The National Weather Service predicts a warm weekend.