Man Falls Through Thin Ice at Popular Rochester Pond

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester Fire Department says a man is OK after falling through thin ice on a popular pond in the city. 

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The incident has prompted officials to remind the public of the dangers involved with being on frozen bodies of water amid warm temperatures and recent rains. 

A news release issued by the fire department says crews responded to the report of a man through the ice shortly before 3:00 Saturday afternoon. 

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Thin Ice in Rochester, MN: Rochester Fire Department Responds to Ice Rescue at Foster Arendt Park

The call came from Foster Arendt’s Pond at 4051 River Rd. Northeast. Firefighters deployed a boat to the scene. 

Two bystanders assisted the man to safety before emergency responders arrived. He was uninjured, officials say. 

Saturday’s incident was at least the second ice rescue reported this year in the Rochester area.

See Also: Stranded Boys Rescued from Thin Ice Near Rochester 

On Dec. 3, first responders rescued two boys from the Silver Creek Reservoir east of Rochester. 

The boys became stranded on the frozen body of water after hearing the ice crack around them as they were about 150 yards from the shore. They also escaped uninjured.

The Rochester Police Department published a Facebook post after the rescue saying ice conditions in the community have become unsafe due to the rain and mile temperatures. 

The Minnesota DNR on Friday warned Minnesotans about the recent warmup thinning out the ice on the state's lakes.

The agency is offering some reminders for those venturing out on the ice.