Richard Redfield, 27, of Southbridge was killed in a snowmobiling accident over the weekend on a pond in Dudley.
What Happened
The Boston Globe reports that Redfield and two other friends, identified as Jeffrey Lougie, 37, of Dudley and Wayne Montigny, 47, of Connecticut, were snowmobiling on New Pond in Dudley Saturday around 5:30 p.m. when they fell through the ice into the frigid water.
Emergency workers responded, pulled all three men out of the water, and rushed Redfield to an area hospital for medical treatment. The three men were about 300 feet from the shore on their snowmobiles when they fell through the ice.
Officials have reported that Redfield was in the water for a minimum of 15 minutes before he was rescued from the icy water. Redfield was later pronounced dead at a Webster hospital. One of Redfield’s friends was transported to a Worcester hospital with minor injuries.
Dudley Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the environmental police are handling the investigation into Redfield’s death.
Injuries on the Ice
The CDC estimates that roughly 10 people die from accidental drowning every day and approximately 50% of drowning victims die due to the effects of freezing water. Authorities warn that hypothermia-related injuries are a significant threat to those who venture out on the ice in the winter.
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services advises ice does not naturally freeze or melt consistently. For example, ice that is 12 inches thick in a certain area might only be 1-inch thick a couple of feet away. Ice skaters, ice fishermen, boaters, and others are advised to exercise extreme caution when heading out on the ice, as there are a number of variables that can affect the strength of the ice.
The fluctuation in the temperature can cause the ice to thaw and then re-freeze, posing dangers to those who are on the ice. Other factors that can weaken the ice are changing water currents, rocks, and tree stumps or logs.
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