'We've pulled six machines out,' Police warn of unstable ice conditions on Lake Simcoe
The York Region Police Marine Unit is warning people to stay off Lake Simcoe because of the inconsistency in ice thickness.
"We have had a number of machines go through the ice. A number of people that ended up going into the water," says Staff Sgt. Aaron Busby.
Police say there are areas on the lake with several inches of ice, but note the problem is the dramatic change from location to location.
Police in York Region say two people were pulled from the ice over the weekend after their ATV plunged through, adding one person didn't survive.
Tom Carr with Fatal Force Outfitters has lived next to and worked on Lake Simcoe in Orillia for years and says he's stunned to see people venturing out.
"We've pulled six machines out so far, but it's almost daily as far as anywhere from North Bay down to Lake Simcoe right now," says Carr.
The inconsistent ice is on most lakes in the area. The warning has even longtime lake resident Rob Livingston checking twice before heading out. However, he says he plans to go out again on Monday.
"I still ask before I go out. I'll even get a hold of a couple of the rental guys and talk to them," he assures, adding he was last out on the lake on Saturday.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
Bear Point Fish Hunt Rentals in Innisfil still has all its huts on land, with the owner saying he's unsure when and even if he'll get out this year.
"Places like Cooks Bay may have nine or 10 inches, and then not even a mile from where you are on the ice, you only have two inches, even an inch of ice in certain spots. Lake Simcoe is a big body of water. It has to be treated like three to four separate lakes all on its own," says Don Luchkiw.
Police are aware people are still making their way onto the lake despite their warnings.
"We have our airboat on standby. We are asking them to please stay off because we have a very strong assertion that we will be called out again," finished Staff Sgt. Busby.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Loblaw, George Weston to settle class action over bread price-fixing for $500 million
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. say they have agreed to pay $500-million to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding their involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing scheme.
EXCLUSIVE One address, 76 foreign currency dealers: Inside Canada's money service business 'clusters'
An IJF and CTV News investigation has found dozens of cases across Canada where multiple money services businesses (MSBs) are incorporated at the same address, sometimes without the knowledge or consent of the location's actual occupant. One money laundering expert calls it an 'abuse of the system.'
U.K. police officer suspended after video appears to show a man being kicked in head
A British police officer was suspended from all duties Thursday after a video was posted on social media that appeared to show an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the floor of a terminal at Manchester Airport.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.