Fishermen safe after truck falls into bay

SUAMICO - Two ice fishermen are safe after their truck fell into the bay of Green Bay. It happened Tuesday morning about a mile offshore from Sunset Beach Park in Suamico.
    
In 40 years of ice fishing, Tom Patzke says this was a first.

“We were just driving from one spot to another, vehicles all over out there. And I was unlucky enough to hit a wet spot,” he said.

About a mile offshore, deep in the fog, he and his friend found themselves in trouble.

“It was less than thrilling, a big splash, oops,” said Patzke.

Half-submerged, the truck was only in a few feet of water.

“Crawled through the window and walked right across the roof of the truck,” said Patzke.

Foggy conditions and poor visibility made it tough for rescue crews to find the men.

“Both parties on the ice calling dispatch stated that they were confused due to the fog, and they were unable to see the shore,” said Deputy Scott Priebe, Brown County Sheriff’s Department.

“That's why I always carry this right here. The fog, you can't see shore from where I am, but I know we weren't that far offshore,” said Patzke.

“By using our sirens and our lights on our squad cars, they were able to hear us, and see us, and we were able to direct them back to shore,” said Deputy Priebe.

“You could hear the sirens and stuff, we told them just meet them over there. Didn't even want them coming out there if they didn't have to. So my buddy took his four-wheeler and drove us in,” said Patzke.

No one was injured, but deputies warned people to be careful on the ice.

“We're passing on to the people that are venturing out on to the ice to be cautious due to the warm weather,” said Priebe.

By noon, a foot-wide crack in the ice had developed near shore.

Patzke and his fishing partner had time to think about their adventure as they arranged for a ride home.

“I'm just wet,” said Patzke.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department ordered the truck's owner to remove the vehicle at once.
    
The recovery crew said a situation like this could cost several thousand dollars.