Arnolds Park, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Arnolds Park / Okoboji Fire Chief Chris Yungbluth says this year’s ice conditions are very strange, and is urging an extra degree of caution on the Iowa Great Lakes. He reports the Fire and Rescue team responded to two incidents early last night already.

Shortly before 6pm they were called to Pillsbury Point – across from Arnolds Park Amusement Park – on West Lake Okoboji. Five individuals and at least one ATV had gone through the ice. All five self-rescued and were treated for cold at the scene. Two were taken to Lakes Regional Healthcare for further observation.

Less than an hour later an ATV went through the ice on East Lake Okoboji near Bridges Bay. Yungbluth says a bystander – Kyle Peterson – used his coat as a makeshift rope to pull two individuals out of the water. They were both given first aid at the scene and transported to the hospital in Spirit Lake for further evaluation.
The Arnolds Park Okoboji Fire and Rescue team used their air boat on both calls.