Updated Sunday, February 12, at 3:16 p.m.
Two men died Saturday morning after a side-by-side utility task vehicle plunged through the ice of Lake Champlain near Grand Isle, according to Vermont State Police. The victims were later identified as Wayne Fleury, 88, of East Montpelier, and his brother, John Fleury, 71, of Williamstown.Â
According to police, emergency crews learned shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday that a side-by-side had broken through the ice on Keeler Bay. First responders encountered “difficult conditions” on Keeler Bay due the condition of the ice but were able to pull John Fleury out of the water, according to the press release. South Hero Fire Department personnel brought him to shore and he was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he later died.
Police said a Colchester Technical Rescue diver located Wayne Fleury inside of the submerged side-by-side. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, the deaths were not considered suspicious.
Saturday’s ice-fishing accident was the second this week in Vermont to claim a life. On Thursday night, according to state police, 62-year-old Grand Isle resident Wayne Alexander died after falling through the ice.
In a press release announcing Saturday’s accident, Vermont State Police said that the Department of Fish & Wildlife was advising members of the public to stay off Lake Champlain this weekend due to unsafe conditions.