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Emergency responders were called to recover at least four people from water Monday, after they fell through thin ice.

A Duluth man was found dead after falling through ice in Woodstock Bay in Superior, Wis.

Officials in Woodbury reported three incidents on two separate lakes. On Monday morning, an adult man was rescued after falling through thin ice on Wilmes Lake. In the evening, emergency personnel were called to rescue two teenagers who fell through ice on Markgrafs Lake. Both are recovering in the hospital.

Nicole Biagi is an ice safety coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. She said reports of thin ice incidents have gone up as the temperature has gone down.

“The cold weather has been great for quickly forming ice around the state, but in most places, we don’t have enough ice for people to be walking out on yet,” Biagi said.

Ice is considered safe at four inches thick to support a person. But Biagi said checking the thickness isn’t enough to guarantee safety. Ice can be four inches thick in one spot, and half as thick just a few feet away. Creeks and rivers, where currents lead to choppy ice formation, are especially risky early in the season.

“Don’t go out just because somebody else is already out there,” Biagi said. “You need to know the water body and any of the particular hazards that you might find on that water body, and then have the right safety gear.”

That means a foam life jacket, ice cleats and ice picks, Biagi said. She recommends avoiding going out on ice alone, and telling someone at home when you think you’ll be back.

If someone does fall through ice, Biagi said, onlookers should call 911. It can help to extend something to the person to grab, like a rope, jumper cables or a ladder — but only from a safe distance.

“Never go on the ice to try to rescue someone,” Biagi said. “If anything, it will result in another tragedy and more chaos for the emergency response when they arrive.”

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The Douglas County, Wis., Sheriff’s Office launched a search Sunday evening for 78-year-old Gregory Garmer. He had left his Duluth home to go ice skating on Woodstock Bay several hours earlier. 

Authorities found Garmer deceased on Monday afternoon. The sheriff’s office said in a statement he had fallen through the ice. 

Garmer was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Duluth and had worked as a pastor at various churches.

David Carlson, the pastor at Gloria Dei, said Garmer stood out for his compassion.

“When you were with Greg, you really felt like he was listening, and also, you know that he cared,” Carlson said. “He was a mentor to me, to other colleagues, to people who are in ministry, and he did it with joy.” 

Carlson said Garmer was constantly outside. Skating was a regular hobby — plus skiing, birding and running.

“He was always the first to go cross country skiing, and always the last one on the trails,” Carlson said. “He loved being outdoors, and kind of inspired people in that way, too, just to be active in the world.”

Two teenagers were rescued from Markgrafs Lake Monday afternoon. According to a statement from Woodbury police, a 911 caller reported a child had gone through the ice around 4:30 p.m. 

A police spokesperson said a 16-year-old boy fell through the ice; a 12-year-old girl went onto the ice to try to help and also fell through.

Emergency personnel rescued the girl from the lake first. Divers recovered the boy later. Both were taken to the hospital.

On Tuesday morning, the police spokesperson said both were recovering, and the boy was still in critical condition.

Earlier Monday, personnel rescued an adult man who fell through ice on Wilmes Lake. The police spokesperson said he was released from medical care.

MPR News correspondent Dan Kraker contributed with this report.

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A Duluth man was found dead Monday after falling through ice in Superior, Wis., and three people were also rescued from lakes in Woodbury. Ice safety experts say lots of ice around the state is still too thin to walk on, even as temperatures drop quickly.

Experts urge caution around thin ice after death, several rescues

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