A group of seven snowmobilers who had ridden along the frozen Erie Canal from western Monroe County were rescued Sunday afternoon after one snowmobile went through the ice into the water, and breaking ice stranded the other six.
The incident happened near the airport, near Chili Avenue and Buell Road. The canal there runs in a deep cut some 40 feet below the canal path alongside, and people who get in trouble at the water level can’t easily climb out. The Gates Fire Department mounted a rope rescue to get them out after being alerted to their trouble. All seven had to abandon their snowmobiles.
The man who fell through the ice suffered a broken arm and was taken to a hospital. None of the rescue crews were injured.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says snowmobiling on the canal ice is illegal, and charges may be coming for the seven involved.