Royal Purple

Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Alison Wisneski Footprints remain in the snow covering Cravath Lake. A 9-year-old Whitewater boy drowned in a nearby Mill Pond last month.

The accidental drowning of a Whitewater boy has sent a signal to be careful crossing frozen water. Nine-year-old Brent Aldrich was found in Mill Pond Jan. 17. after falling through thin ice.

Friends say the boy was attempting to cross the pond, located behind Novak's Restaurant on Main Street, when he fell through the thin layer of ice covering the pond.

His death brings awareness to the dangers of falling through thin ice in Whitewater's lakes and ponds, located in the downtown area near the local bars, stores and restaurants.

"Although this was an isolated incident, we would like people to be more wary of the ice," Whitewater Police Chief James Coan said. "People must be careful."

One of the dangers of falling through thin ice is hypothermia, a condition where the body loses more heat than it can produce, which can result in death. In many cases, the biggest danger following a fall through thin ice is drowning.

While this is Whitewater's only reported case of an accidental drowning as a result of someone falling through thin ice, two accidental drownings were recently reported in Wisconsin.

"It's not very often we receive calls about people falling through the ice," firefighter Chris Thorn of the Whitewater Fire Department and Rescue Squad said. "But when we do it can be very dangerous."

While not all instances of falling through thin ice result in death, Coan stresses to residents and students how hazardous the waters can be.

"People have gone through and been rescued," Coan said. "But since students hold so many events in the area, especially on the lake front, it is so important to use good caution and always be aware of your surroundings."

Though it can be difficult to prevent such accidents with thin ice, no signage is located on or near Whitewater's lakes or ponds to warn people to stay off the ice.

"You can't put a sign to warn or remind people everywhere of everything," Coan said. "You just have to use your better judgment in these situations."

No extra safety measures are currently being taken to ensure people do not fall through the ice. Students and residents are simply being reminded to stay alert around the lakes and ponds and do not take chances.

"Just like we tell the ice fisherman or the snowmobilers, do not underestimate the thinness of the ice," Coan said. "It does not matter what you are doing, just stay alert and be mindful of the risks."

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