Two men who went ice fishing at Grace Lake on February 4 were found dead after reportedly falling through the ice, Agassiz RCMP confirmed.
Authorities were alerted at 11:16 p.m. after the men failed to return home. A concerned family member who went to the lake discovered a large hole in the ice alongside abandoned fishing gear, raising fears that the pair had fallen through.
Agassiz RCMP, assisted by Kent-Harrison Search and Rescue (SAR), Mission SAR, and Chilliwack SAR, responded to the scene. The bodies were located beneath the ice, prompting the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team (URT) to carry out a challenging retrieval operation.
“The URT is a highly specialized unit trained in ice diving and other advanced recovery techniques,” RCMP said in a statement, emphasizing the difficulty of the operation. SAR teams played a crucial role in ensuring the recovery was conducted safely.
Police are working with the BC Coroners Service to investigate the incident, though foul play is not suspected.
“This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that ice conditions are constantly changing,” said Cpl. Chad Raymond of Agassiz RCMP. “Even if you’ve tested the thickness, weather and water conditions can make it unsafe.”
Authorities extended their condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
