BALTIMORE --

Two men are lucky to be alive after an ill-fated skating excursion on the Middle River.

Rescue crews were called to the river at about 8:18 a.m. Saturday in response to a call about a man falling through the ice.

When firefighters got to the scene, they found two men in the river. One had skated back to shore and the other was in the water.

Rescue crews were able to get to rescue the victim and take him to Franklin Square Hospital.

Officials said he's listed in critical condition, suffering from hypothermia.

Firefighters said the man told them that he and his friend set out ice skating at 7:30 a.m. from Dark Head Cove.

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