Area man's snowmobile falls through ice

A 59-year-old Jerusalem Township man, who had been stranded about a mile offshore after his snowmobile fell through the ice in Lake Erie, walked to shore near Cooley Canal in the township Saturday night as would-be rescuers searched for him.

Washington Township fire department’s hovercraft at 5:27 p.m. was dispatched to assist Jerusalem Township fire department in the search, and at 6:36 p.m., authorities learned the individual had been in contact by cell phone with Lucas County 911.

Law enforcement officials about 6:45 p.m. Saturday found the individual after a brief search. The man declined medical treatment, authorities at the scene said.