Fisherman survives hour in frigid lake

3/13/2003

CATAWBA ISLAND, Ohio - A Niles, Mich., man who had been ice fishing on Lake Erie escaped serious injury last night after falling through the ice and spending almost an hour in the frigid water, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Tony D. Camp, 20, who was about 100 yards off shore near North Surfside Drive on Catawba Island, was pulled to safety by the Catawba Island Fire Department.

He was treated at the scene and refused further treatment, the Coast Guard said.

He was one of four fishermen walking back toward shore about 7:20 p.m. when the incident occurred.

A person on shore saw what happened and alerted authorities. Rescue crews used the fire department's rescue boat to get to Mr. Camp.

He was pulled from the water about 8:13 p.m., the Coast Guard said.

The other three men made it to shore unhurt, the Coast Guard said.