2 Iqaluit hunters safe after snowmobile breaks through ice
‘Both men went through the ice into water, they lost everything that they had'
Two Iqaluit men are lucky to be alive after their snowmobile and qamutik, a traditional Inuit sled, broke through the ice and sank early Monday morning.
Joseph Monteith and Kelly Akpaleapik, both in their 30s, were hunting on Frobisher Bay approximately 50 kilometres south of Iqaluit when the incident took place.
"We know both men went through the ice into water," Jimmy Akavak, chair of Iqaluit's search and rescue, said in Inuktitut.
"They lost everything that they had. Their snowmobile, all of their supplies."
Akavak says a search started after their SPOT device failed to send more updates after 3:39 a.m.
The men were found on a nearby polynya late Monday morning and were medevaced by helicopter to the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit. One of them is being treated for mild to severe hypothermia, according to Akavak.
Akavak says what saved the men was the fact that other people were aware of their plans and quickly alerted the authorities.
"We are grateful for the quick response of the concerned members," said Akavak.
He said even experienced hunters familiar with the terrain should be on high alert.
"This time of the year, everywhere is dangerous," said Akavak. "The conditions out there change so frequently."