Sled sinks, owner manages to escape after cracked ice on Holland River

Police, resident and mayor warn people off Holland River

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 1, 2021
Jeremy Grimaldi

The owner, the police and even a tow-truck company tried.

The sled could not be rescued.

But one York Regional Police officer is saying that should be the least of anyone’s concern, as the accident that led to the snowmobile being swallowed by the not-so-frozen Holland River could have resulted in a lot worse.

“This gentleman could have lost his life by making this decision,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Bell.

It was at 2:20 p.m. on Friday that police were called to River Drive, in Holland Landing, after a report of a sunken machine. “York police always encourages people not to venture out onto frozen ice.”

Now there is caution tape and signage warning people about the dangers of heading out on bodies of water during the wintertime.

Local resident Leslie Lee who has been in the community for 33 years said this isn’t the first time she’s seen such an accident.

“It probably happens a couple of times a year,” she said. “You get a couple of cold days and people think it’s safe, but it isn’t.”

Lee said it’s not only snowmobiles, residents also build skating rinks on the ice.

East Gwillimbury mayor Virginia Hackson said the incident should give all residents a warning that the ice is not safe until it has been tested.

“I understand that people want to get outside and spend time in the snow, and those with snow machines have been waiting,” she said. “But they have to use it safely, this is a perfect example of what can happen if the ice isn’t frozen. It’s no different than skating on the ice.”

She said that people that live near the river know the waters well and do their best to check before heading out.

“They check and recheck,” she added.

Bell added that police will not be attempting to rescue the sled but has placed signage around to warn residents.