New Hampshire Firefighters Rescue Snowmobilers

FREEDOM, N.H. --

Firefighters in Freedom rescued two snowmobilers that fell through a patch of thin ice late Sunday evening.

New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said the two riders got separated from the group they were riding with on Ossipee Lake. The ice gave way under the first rider, 56-year-old Fred Williams, of Vineyard Haven, Mass. His machine went partially through the ice, but he was able to free himself.

The second rider, 45-year-old Donna Beaudoin, of Taunton, Mass., broke completely through. Fish and Game officials said Williams tried to get Beaudoin out of the water and fell through the ice himself.

Both were rescued by firefighters.

Crews said Beaudoin spent 30 minutes in the water.

"She (Beaudoin) was pretty much just hanging on the edge of the ice," said Freedom Fire Chief Jean Doe. "We did get a firefighter out there and he was able to keep her above water until we got 2 or 3 others out there."

Beaudoin was flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where she was treated for non life-threatening hypothermia.

Williams was taken to Memorial Hospital in Conway where he was treated and released. Both snowmobiles sank into the lake.

Fish and Game officials said there are several areas of thin ice on Ossipee Lake. They advise caution to anyone riding on the lake, especially at night.

Copyright 2009 by wmur.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.