Missing fisherman in southeastern Manitoba believed to have fallen through the ice

(File Image)

A 71-year-old fisherman is missing in southeastern Manitoba, with RCMP believing he went through the ice.

On Tuesday evening, around 8:50 p.m., Manitoba RCMP got a report that the fisherman was missing from Buffalo Point First Nation—located near the U.S. border in the southeastern corner of the province.

Police said the man had gone out on a side-by-side to his ice fishing shack on Lake of the Woods but never made it back. Police said the ice fishing shack is set up about five kilometres north of the Buffalo Point Marina.

“RCMP immediately attended to assess the situation, but due to weather, light conditions and open water in some areas, officers could not conduct a physical search of the ice,” police said in a news release.

The next morning, RCMP search and rescue headed to Buffalo Point First Nation to help with the search. Using a drone, RCMP said side-by-side tracks were leading from the shore to the man’s ice fishing shack and continued on to a pressure ridge in the ice.

“It is believed the side-by-side went through the ice at this location with the driver being unable to exit the vehicle before it went under,” police said.

Mounties noted the investigation is ongoing.