Two fisherman from Branch County were rescued Sunday afternoon after falling through the ice.
Shortly before 4 p.m., Branch County Deputies were dispatched to the area of Silver Lake Pine Island Drive in Kinderhook Township.
When crews arrived, they say they found the two men standing in about five feet of water, hanging onto their ice fishing sled. Officials say they had left earlier in the day and were in the middle of the lake, but later changed their position and ended up falling through about 200 yards off the shore.
According to the sheriff's office, the fishermen were in the water for about 20 minutes and were left exhausted, with no strength to save themselves.
Once crews in specialized suits broke through the ice to reach them, the men were brought to shore and treated for hypothermia.
In addition to Branch County Sheriff Deputies, Life Care Ambulance, Lake Land Fire Dept. and Branch County Sheriff’s Dive Team unit assited at the scene.
