One person died after a group of six people fell through ice while skating at a reservoir in North California on Saturday, authorities said.
The group of eight was skating at the Stampede Reservoir, north of Lake Tahoe, when the ice broke and six of them plunged into the frigid water. The two who didn’t fall into the water helped the others but couldn’t find the man who was the farthest from the group.
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Authorities were informed and a Placer County dive team searched the reservoir and emergency responders from the Washoe County Hasty Team flew over the area, but weren’t able to find the missing man until Sunday when his body was found, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Authorities on Monday identified the victim as 72-year-old William Smallfield.
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“Late this morning, yesterday’s drowning victim was recovered from Stampede Reservoir by Washoe County Hasty Team and Placer County Dive Team members. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office extends our sincere condolences to the victim’s family,” the statement added.
Another person who fell into the icy water of the reservoir dislocated their shoulder and was taken to a hospital and released later Saturday. The condition of the other four was not known.
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Meanwhile, urging people to stay off the ice in lakes and reservoirs because they are unsafe amid warm temperatures Truckee Fire Protection District, which also helped with the rescue and recovery, said, “It is impossible to know the safety and stability of the ice, especially with the recent warmer temperatures.”
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Northern California has seen minimal snow and precipitation amid mild temperatures since the beginning of 2022.
(With inputs from the Associated Press)
