Car goes through the ice on lake in Greater Sudbury

A vehicle went through the ice on Onwatin Lake in Hanmer on Dec. 13, Greater Sudbury police confirmed Wednesday.

A 911 call around 11 p.m. reported that the vehicle drove onto the ice, when the ice gave way. The driver was alone in the vehicle and was able to get out and get back to shore.

The incident was an unwelcome reminder of a recent tragedy, said Elliot Richardson, a nearby resident.

“We lost a great guy -- Guy Belanger a couple of years ago,” Richardson said.

“I think a lot of people are on high alert about the ice conditions.”

Richardson, whose family has owned a home on the lake for almost 40 years, said Belanger was his neighbour. He passed away after going through the ice on New Year’s Eve in 2023.

‘One bad step’

Belanger had also lived in the area for about four decades, Richardson said, and was familiar with the conditions.

But he “takes one bad step out in the wrong direction and, you know, it cost him his life,” Richardson said.

“One of the saddest days in our street’s history. But it just shows you that, even if you do know the lake, there’s some … spots out there that come out and take you by surprise.”

He said Onwatin is unpredictable because it is a widening of the Vermilion River.

“It’s moving water, it’s a fast current,” Richardson said.

“It doesn’t quite freeze the way a normal lake would freeze ... So hearing that someone would drive their vehicle at that time of the year, you know, is kind of crazy.”

Early winter, early spring

Const. Kevin Tremblay said his unit often patrols on snowmobiles and he has seen several cases in which people have gone through the ice.

“Primarily in early winter (or) late winter/early spring,” Tremblay said.

“The ice this time of year is really not safe. It’s very unpredictable. You might have six to 10 inches on one lake. You might have only two or three inches on another lake. All our lakes are a little bit different.”

While he wants residents to enjoy the hundreds of lakes in the city, he said it’s important to remember the adage that no ice is safe ice.

“Venture out slowly,” Tremblay said.

“Make sure that the ice thickness is safe enough for whatever vehicle or activity that you’re going to do. At least six inches for pedestrians, eight to 10 inches for small, motorized vehicles like snow machines and ATVs. And then 12 inches and up for cars and trucks.

“Be mindful that it has to be hard, clear ice, not the granulated ice. Granulated ice is much weaker,” he added.