Man dies after truck goes through ice on Mille Lacs
Jan. 12—MILACA, Minn. — An 80-year-old Isle man died Friday, Jan. 12, after his vehicle went through the ice on Mille Lacs Lake.
The man was identified by the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office as Richard Francis Gadbois.
The sheriff's office responded to a call of a truck and body through the ice at 10:52 a.m. on Mille Lacs Lake near the MSA Flagship restaurant, 5357 Whistle Road in Isle.
According to a news release, a man called the sheriff's office and said he located an area on the Mille Lacs Lake ice where a truck went through and the body of an adult male was found floating in the water.
The news release said Gadbois was wearing a flotation device and the caller was able to bring him back to shore. Once on shore, Gadbois was transported to the Mille Lacs Health System Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
"This is another reminder to the public that ice conditions are not safe for driving cars and trucks on right now," said Kyle Burton, Mille Lacs County sheriff. "The ice on many lakes across the state is not good clear ice due to rains and warm temperatures."
Burton said the ice was approximately 6 inches thick where the truck went through and the recommended guideline for clear ice is 13-17 inches of ice for a truck.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Richard as they process this loss," Burton said.
Assisting at the scene were the Isle Fire Department and the Mille Lacs Health System ambulance service.
