Grand Isle resident Wayne Alexander, 62, died after falling through the ice in Lake Champlain on Thursday night.
Alexander was ice fishing on the lake on Thursday afternoon, and a relative went looking for him when he did not return home, according to Vermont State Police. The relative found his truck parked at the fishing access in Grand Isle State Park and called emergency crews.
Vermont State Police, the fire departments from Grand Isle and South Hero, the Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department and the AmCare rescue squad all responded to the state park. They found Alexander, wearing a flotation suit, at about 9:30 Thursday night.
Alexander was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, where he was pronounced dead.
Alexander’s death appears to be an accident, according to state police.
For safe ice fishing, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation has compiled a list of tips. In addition, several Facebook groups focus on Vermont ice fishing, offering information and advice.