Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports the rescue of two ice fishermen by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit and United States Coast Guard on Sunday evening.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance from the Erie

County Sheriff’s Office with a search and rescue operation. It was reported that at least one fisherman was unable to return to shore after a sheet of ice had separated on Lake Erie.

The aircrew used infrared technology to locate two individuals on the ice approximately one

mile offshore. A U.S. Coast Guard Ice Rescue Team transported a skiff rescue boat across the ice and extracted one of the two fishermen and their supplies from the scene. An Erie County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Technician was dropped onto the ice to assist and returned to Air 1 with the second fisherman, who was flown to Sturgeon Point Marina to be observed by Evans Fire Department personnel.

The aircrew included:

— Pilot Capt. Ryan Rogers

— Tactical Flight Officer Lt. Rich O’Neil

— Search and Rescue Technician Lt. Chris Schreiber

“This search and rescue operation highlights the importance of year-round training and

teamwork,” said Garcia. “The Erie County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, U.S. Coast Guard and Evans Fire Department demonstrated seamless cooperation throughout the process, resulting in a successful rescue. It also emphasizes the value of investing in our equipment and technology. No police drone can evacuate a stranded individual to safety.

Thanks to the recent purchase of two new helicopters, our Aviation Unit will stand ready to respond for decades to come.”