Two men have died after falling through ice on Aksdalsvatnet in Tysvær, Norway, during a rescue operation that relied on pocket flashlights in the deepening dark. The incident, which occurred on a January evening, has left the small coastal community in mourning for Knut-Arild Sørensen, 67, and Knut Frøyland, 63, both local residents who were known and active in the area.
The Evening That Turned Tragic
Aksdalsvatnet is a central feature of Aksdal, a village within Tysvær commune. Surrounded by a popular walking path, a football field, and a volleyball court, it is typically a place of activity and leisure. On the night of the accident, however, the familiar sounds were replaced by cries for help from the ice. Neighbors heard those calls and alerted emergency services at 6:38 PM, setting in motion a desperate race against time and fading light.
Oddvar Susort, the operations leader for Haugaland Fire and Rescue, was among those coordinating the response. He described the immediate rush of thoughts upon receiving such an alert, considering what might have happened and what awaited the rescue teams. For Susort, with 23 years of service, this was a first—he could not recall ever dealing with persons who had fallen through ice. The rarity of the situation underscored the shock that would ripple through the community.
A Rescue Operation in Stifling Darkness
The response was swift and multifaceted. Rescue divers from Haugesund and surface rescuers from the Aksdal and Raglamyr fire stations were dispatched. Police, ambulances, a rescue helicopter, and an ambulance helicopter also converged on the scene. In total, Susort estimated between 25 and 30 personnel participated in the rescue work. Police had indicated that the two men likely were on skates when the ice gave way, a detail that added to the urgency.
Teams launched from both sides of the lake. While roadside lighting existed along the perimeter, it only illuminated the path and immediate vicinity. Beyond that, the vast expanse of Aksdalsvatnet was swallowed by winter darkness. Rescuers, clad in wet suits, had to advance across the ice using pocket flashlights to guide their way. This ad-hoc illumination became a critical tool in the search, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by emergency workers in remote Norwegian settings.
The Grim Discovery on the Ice
The combined efforts led to the men being located at 7:12 PM, roughly 500 meters from shore. By then, more than thirty minutes had passed since the initial alarm. When rescuers reached them, both men were unconscious. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered on the ice surface in a bid to save them. The rescue helicopter then winched both individuals to land, where they were transferred to an ambulance helicopter for rapid transport to Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen. Despite these efforts, both Sørensen and Frøyland were later confirmed dead at the hospital.
The use of pocket flashlights in the operation has become a poignant symbol of the rescue's limitations. Susort pointed out the location where the men were found, emphasizing the distance from safety. The operation's reliance on such basic equipment in the modern era speaks to the unpredictable nature of emergencies in Norway's varied landscapes, where technology can be hampered by terrain and weather.
A Community Grapples With Loss
Tysvær, a commune of about 12,000 inhabitants spread across several village communities, has been deeply affected. Monika Lindanger, the mayor of Tysvær commune, described the accident as a tragic event that has touched everyone. She noted that one of the men was employed by the commune, and both Sørensen and Frøyland had wide social circles, making their loss felt across many lives. Lindanger reiterated that Aksdalsvatnet is a vital artery for Aksdal, a place usually full of life and activity, which made the tragedy even more jarring.
The men were well-known figures, and their deaths have created a void in the social fabric of Tysvær. In close-knit communities like this, such incidents resonate beyond immediate families, affecting neighbors, colleagues, and friends. The commune has rallied, with informal gatherings and shared grief becoming a common response. The mayor's statements reflect a communal sorrow, emphasizing how such events underscore the fragility of life in even the most serene environments.