Near-tragic ice fishing trip in Oakland County averted by quick-thinking neighbor

(FOX 2) - An ice-fishing trip nearly turned to tragedy on an Oakland County lake after a man and his grandson fell in.

The pair had ventured out onto Lake George in Addison Township on Thursday afternoon and began drilling into the ice when it gave way. The 66-year-old man fell through first and his 15-year-old grandson called 911.

After dialing the police, he tried getting his grandfather out but also fell in.

Fortunately, a neighbor watching the incident grabbed his kayak and paddled out to help.

He managed to assist getting the teenager out of the water before going back to shore to get a second kayak to assist the grandfather. The good Samaritan couldn't immediately rescue the man because the ice kept breaking, but was able to keep his head above water until help arrived.

From there, local firefighters managed to use a line to pull the grandfather out of the water and onto safer ice before performing CPR.

He was taken to the hospital and is currently listed in critical condition.

Despite winter settling in, warmer temperatures and rain this week are evidence that no inland lakes should be trusted to walk on right now, the sheriff said.

"The temperatures have had such a large degree of fluctuation that we encourage the public to stay off the ice," Michael Bouchard said. "There is no ice that could be considered safe at this time."