Two Snowmobiles Go Through Seeley Lake

SEELEY LAKE - Around 6 p.m. Saturday night two snowmobilers went through the ice on the north end of Seeley Lake where the ice is typically thin. Both drivers were able to get out of the water and sustained no injuries. One snowmobile is completely submerged while the other remained partially exposed.

The Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue recovered the visible snowmobile Saturday afternoon. The snowmobilers will be responsible for removing the submerged snowmobile this spring.

SSSAR Incident Commander Gerry Connell said that a group of five from Ketchum, Idaho, Seattle, Wash. and Bend Ore. came to the area to do some backcountry skiing. Two snowmobiles went through the ice when they were crossing the lake after returning from a day skiing. They were able to get themselves to safety along with the three other riders who did not go into the lake.

SSSAR mobilized at 12 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Three of the SSSAR volunteers suited up in cold water rescue suits and with help from five other volunteers were able to wench the machine back up on the ice by 1:45 p.m. Because the motor had not gotten wet, they were able to drive it off the ice.

"It was pretty straight forward," said Connell. "The operation went well."

The snowmobile owner for the submerged sled will be responsible to get his machine out this spring. Connell said they know where it is and estimate that it is in 20-40 feet of water. He is not aware of any fines or citations issued to the snowmobilers.

Connell advised that snowmobilers avoid the west end of the lake near Deer Creek where the ice is typically thin.