An annual ice fishing tournament held on Vermont’s Lake Champlain has been canceled after the tragic deaths of three fishermen who fell through the ice.
On Saturday, organizers of the 43rd annual Island Ice Fishing Derby announced in a Facebook post that the event was being canceled due to “the condition of the ice.”
The Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department has issued a request for the Islands Ice Fishing Derby to be canceled effective immediately, 2/11/2023 due to the condition of the ice,” the post read. “All ice anglers are asked to get off the ice. Tickets will be refunded. Contact Martin’s General Store to request your refund.”
According to a release from the Vermont State Police, 62-year-old Wayne Alexander died Thursday after falling through the ice. The report indicates that Alexander’s body was recovered in the water hours after he was expected to return home. On Saturday, two brothers John and Wayne Fleury, died after their utility vehicle broke through the ice, police told CNN.
John, age 71, was pulled from the water and rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Wayne, age 88, was pronounced dead at the scene after being found in the vehicle sometime later by a recuse diver.
According to USA Today, state police said that autopsies would be conducted to determine how the three men died, though all three incidents appeared to be accidental in nature.
[CNN, USA Today, Vermont State Police, Islands Ice Fishing Derby]
