Aitkin Man Dies After ATV Breaks Through Ice Of Lake

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A 62-year-old Aitkin, Minnesota, man died Wednesday evening when his ATV broke through the ice.

The ice on Gun Lake was about an inch thick, according to the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office.

Rescuers removed Darrel Edward Piisapanen from the lake about 30 minutes after he fell into the frigid water.

He was about 300 yards from shore and the water was about six feet deep.

Someone who saw the ice cave in around his ATV called 911 around 3:36 p.m.

The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office, McGregor Ambulance, North Memorial Ambulance, the Palisade Fire Department, the McGregor Fire Department and the Mille Lacs Band Police Department all responded to the call.

The ice conditions in the area varied from one inch to six inches.