Family is safe after their snowmobiles fall through ice at Island Park Reservoir

ISLAND PARK – A family avoided falling through the ice at Island Park Reservoir Sunday night, but their snowmobiles did not.

It happened around 7 p.m. near Lakeside Lodge, according to Sgt. Cody Gudmunson with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office.

Gudmunson arrived at the scene after the search and rescue team responded. He tells EastIdahoNews.com a family of four were snowmobiling in the area. They rode their sleds across a section of unsafe ice on the reservoir.

The ice collapsed, and somehow they were able to avoid falling in. All four snowmobiles fell and sank to the bottom.

An effort is now underway to recover the snowmobiles, Gudmunson says.

Gudmunson was in the area Monday morning to assess the situation, and he’s urging people to be careful because the ice is “really unstable.”

“An ice fisherman on foot fell through (this morning) up to his waist. He was able to get out without incident, but just note that the ice right now is really unstable,” Gudmunson says.

Lakeside Lodge was planning to host its annual Ice Fishing Derby this weekend. In a Facebook post Monday afternoon, the lodge announced it is rescheduling the event for Feb. 1 due to unsafe ice conditions.

“We apologize for this inconvenience, but hope you understand that everyone’s safety is our first priority. Hope to see you on February 1st for another memorable day on the ice!” the post says.