Two young boys are recovering after an incident at Lake Minatare in which they apparently fell through the ice, and were in the water for about 45 minutes before their rescue.
According to emergency radio communications, Minatare-Melbeta Fire and Rescue received the initial call just before 4:45 p.m. that two kids fell into the water at the Lake.
Dan Kling, conservation officer for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said the two boys walked along the dam to the swim beach area and onto the ice. Both fell through the ice and climbed to the top numerous times, eventually staying in one place and crying for help. Adults accompanying them called 911 just before 5 p.m.
Officers from the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and Game and Parks responded as well as Valley Ambulance and Airlink.
Following rescue by a dive team, the two 12-year-olds reported to be suffering from hypothermia were taken from the scene to Regional West Medical Center, where they were treated and released.
Kling said visitors to lakes and reservoirs in the region should use extreme caution as nearly all remaining ice is thin and dangerous.
