Ice Anglers Rescued After Breakaway in Wellers Bay

Four ice anglers were safely rescued Wednesday evening after the ice broke away from shore in Wellers Bay, leaving them stranded nearly one kilometre offshore near the Consecon area.

According to Ontario Provincial Police, the incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on February 21 and marked the third ice-related rescue in the region in less than a week. A nearby resident alerted authorities after noticing the men were unable to return to shore.

Multiple agencies responded, including the Prince Edward County OPP, Quinte West OPP, the OPP Emergency Response Team, and the Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) team. Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue successfully brought two of the anglers to safety by boat, while the remaining two were rescued by a Search and Rescue helicopter from 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, dispatched through the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.

All four men were returned safely to shore. No injuries were reported.

Officials continue to warn the public that ice conditions remain unpredictable, noting recent incidents across eastern Ontario including fatal outcomes due to unstable ice. Authorities emphasize that no ice should be considered safe, particularly during periods of fluctuating winter weather.

Fire Chief Chad Brown reminded residents heading onto frozen waterways to carry proper safety equipment, closely monitor conditions, and understand that rescue costs may be charged to those who require emergency assistance.