CALGARY – It was another warm weekend in Calgary but some people west of the city don’t seem to be getting the message about not going on the ice at Ghost Lake.
Two times in the last two days, two vehicles have been caught falling through the ice.
People who live in the area say it’s time to break the habit.
On Saturday afternoon, a driver found himself in trouble after he drove onto the ice at the Ghost Lake recreation area and the SUV partially broke through the ice. It was towed away later that night.
Then on Sunday morning, another SUV drove onto the ice and broke through. The owner was forced to have the vehicle towed.
People who live in the area are furious that drivers don’t have more common sense, even after several incidents this winter.
No one was injured in either case but resident Stacey Reyes said at least half a dozen cars have fallen though the ice this winter and that it’s happening too often.
“With the boat launch areas, really anyone at any time of day can drive onto the ice… which is OK if it’s in a responsible way, but lately the amount of vehicles on the ice has been out of control,” Reyes said.
A tow truck driver from Big Hill Towing said he can’t believe how many vehicles went down to the edge and even tried to go onto the ice after seeing a car stuck there.
Cars have to be towed out before they submerge and leak oil or gasoline into the reservoir.
Cochrane Fire Services said the provincial government controls monitors who can go on the ice.
In the meantime, they’re recommending common sense.
“Obviously we’ve had unseasonably high temperatures and it’s definitely not safe to be on the ice and certainly with motorized vehicles. I would caution anyone to be on any type of ice right now,” Platoon captain Jory Jenson of Chochrane Fire Services said.
He also points out that every call about a car in the ice takes resources away from emergencies in the town of Cochrane.
Reyes will be pushing for better enforcement of access to Ghost Lake.
No one needed rescue in the two cases.
With files from Lisa MacGregor
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