Maine Mother's Terrifying Plunge Through Ice on Moosehead Lake Fishing Trip
In a heart-stopping incident that unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, a Maine mother faced a life-threatening ordeal when her vehicle plunged through the ice on Moosehead Lake. Leanne Tapley, an experienced ice fisher, was driving her brother's pickup truck back to shore around 1 a.m. to use the bathroom when the ice suddenly gave way, sending the truck and its occupant into the frigid waters.
A Routine Trip Turns to Terror
Tapley and her husband, Chase, were part of an ice fishing group that had been measuring the ice thickness throughout the day. According to their readings, the ice was approximately 36 inches thick, which Tapley stated should have been more than sufficient to support a truck. "That is exactly what we'd been measuring, give or take an inch or two," she explained. "However, I found a pressure ridge and the truck sank, very quickly I might add."
Despite changing her route earlier after noticing a slushy area, Tapley reported no visible warnings of weak ice. "There were no signs of weak ice. No puddles, no major cracks, no slush," she told the Bangor Daily News, highlighting the unpredictable nature of frozen lakes even under seemingly safe conditions.
Miraculous Escape and Swift Rescue
As the truck began to sink, Tapley's quick thinking proved crucial. Fortunately, the vehicle did not become fully submerged, allowing her to open a window and crawl out. "I was freaked. I couldn't believe that it was happening," she recalled. In a precarious position, she sat on the truck door but slipped backward, with her legs still inside and her back in the water, fearing the truck would continue to sink beneath the ice.
Her brother, Jake Fitzpatrick, played a pivotal role in the rescue. Tapley managed to make a phone call, which Jake answered on the first ring. He immediately recognized her panicked state and mobilized the entire fishing crew. "He heard his sister's panicked desperation and, as is typical of him, he rushed towards danger with reckless abandon," their father, Craig Fitzpatrick, later posted on social media.
With her husband and the group's assistance, Tapley was able to pull herself onto the hood of the truck and was helped onto solid ice. She later expressed her gratitude on Facebook, writing, "Long story short, I am perfectly ok," and praising her brother's actions: "I wouldn't choose anyone else to be my brother! We don't always tell each other that we love each other, but sometimes actions are much louder than words."
Aftermath and Future Plans
The immediate focus shifted to recovering the submerged truck, with plans set to extract it on Wednesday. Despite the terrifying experience, Tapley shared positive moments from the trip, noting it was their first time ice fishing on Moosehead Lake. "On a more positive note," she wrote, "First time fishing on Moosehead and it did not disappoint. We were hardly able to take a break long enough to eat." She celebrated catching her first lake trout, along with successes by other group members.
Remarkably, the incident has not deterred Tapley from ice fishing. However, she has vowed to change her approach. "Will I be back? Yes, absolutely," she affirmed. "Will I be driving a truck on the ice? No, absolutely not." This statement underscores a newfound caution while maintaining her passion for the winter activity.
The ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with ice travel, even when conditions appear favorable. Authorities often warn that ice thickness can vary due to factors like pressure ridges, currents, and temperature fluctuations, making constant vigilance essential for safety.
