15th January 2010
From: Strathclyde Fire & Rescue
Strathclyde Fire & Rescue is renewing its warning about the dangers of walking on iced-over ponds, rivers etc now that the thaw is increasing the risk of people and animals falling through into deadly frigid water.
The warning follows an incident this afternoon when a fire crew from Coatbridge Community Fire Station responded to a report of a dog which had fallen through ice in a loch at Drumpellier Country Park in North Lanarkshire.
When the fire crew arrived at the loch they found that the dog, which had been allowed off the leash by its owner, appeared to have succumbed to the cold water.
The thin ice meant that the firefighters would have been putting themselves at serious risk by attempting to rescue the pet.
Last week, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue issued a warning about the dangers of walking on ice.
We also pointed out that firefighters would not risk their lives rescuing animals that had fallen through ice - this policy still stands.
Now that the thaw has arrived, the potential danger is even greater. We would ask adults to not to let children or pets walk on areas of iced-over water.
