Two people were rescued by helicopter from an ice-covered lake in Haugesund on Monday evening after reports they had fallen through. The police search began at 6:38 p.m. after a report that a person may have gone through the ice on a lake in the southwestern coastal city.
In an update to the police log, operations manager Helene Strand wrote, 'Two persons have been observed on the ice, on skates earlier today.' She noted it was uncertain if these were the individuals they were searching for.
The Rescue Operation
By 7:12 p.m., the police confirmed they had located two individuals. 'These will be hoisted up by rescue helicopter,' Strand wrote in the log. The precise condition of the two people was not immediately known following their extraction from the water. The operation involved local police and the rescue helicopter service, a standard but critical response for ice-related emergencies in Norway. The specific lake was not named in the initial police reports, which is common practice during ongoing incidents.
Such rescues are a coordinated effort, often relying on the West Police District's resources and the national emergency services network. The quick transition from a report of a potential incident to a confirmed rescue highlights the established protocols for water and ice emergencies along Norway's coast, where winter conditions can be deceptive and dangerous.
The Context of Winter Danger
This incident underscores a recurring seasonal hazard across Norway. Every winter, multiple incidents occur where individuals venture onto ice that is not sufficiently thick to bear weight. While inland lakes at higher altitudes often develop stable ice early, coastal areas like Haugesund are particularly treacherous. The moderating influence of the sea and changing temperatures can create ice that appears solid but is dangerously thin.
The Norwegian authorities and organizations like the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue repeatedly issue warnings about ice safety. General advice states that clear, blue ice should be at least 10 centimeters thick for a single person to walk on, and significantly more for groups or activities like skating. However, ice thickness can vary dramatically even on the same body of water due to currents, underwater springs, or snow cover acting as insulation.
Community and Response Impact
Events like the one in Haugesund resonate deeply in local communities, serving as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictability. They prompt discussions about preparedness, the importance of heeding official warnings, and the value of the emergency services that respond. The psychological impact on witnesses and first responders is also a recognized aspect of such traumatic events.
For the police and rescue services, each operation provides real-world validation of their training and procedures. The successful use of a rescue helicopter for extraction is a standard but complex procedure, requiring precision to avoid further endangering the victims or the crew. It involves lowering a rescuer to secure the individuals and hoisting them to safety, a maneuver practiced extensively for scenarios on cliffs, water, and mountainous terrain.
A Broader National Pattern
This is not an isolated event but part of a pattern seen in Norwegian winters. Similar rescues and, tragically, recoveries happen annually in various regions, from the Oslofjord to northern lakes. The factors often involve a combination of enthusiasm for winter recreation—such as ice skating, fishing, or skiing—and a misjudgment of local conditions. Newcomers to an area may be unaware of specific dangers, while even experienced locals can be caught out by unusually warm periods or hidden currents.
The response system is designed for this reality. From the moment the emergency call is received at the 112 center, a process is activated that can deploy police, ambulance, fire services, and specialized units like the helicopter service based on the initial information. The log updates provided by Operations Manager Strand offer a public glimpse into this step-by-step process, from the first uncertain report to the confirmation of a find.