A 2023 Chevy 2500 pickup fell through thin ice on Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in December 2024 while four anglers were fishing, and EMS Automotive recovered the truck from the lake in a four-hour operation requiring three employees and two volunteer firefighters, according to the Berkshire Eagle. The owner noted that recovery from frozen lakes typically costs thousands in towing fees alone.
Operator takeaway
A four-hour ice recovery requiring five people — through-ice recoveries are specialized work that commands premium pricing, and operators in cold climates should train and equip for them before the season starts.