Thin Ice Takes Life of South Burlington Man

A 22-year-old South Burlington, VT man may have thought the Lake Champlain ice surface he stood atop was thick enough to support him.  Unfortunately, it wasn't.  Trapped underneath a sheet of ice in freezing cold water for 10 minutes, at least a dozen Burlington firefighters rushed to the scene in an attempt to save the man's life.  By the time emergency medical teams arrived, it was too late.

According to News 10 ABC, Burlington Police say Amir Basnet attempted to walk on the unsafe ice on Sunday afternoon shortly after 2PM.  That's when, according to the report, witnesses say they saw him disappear after falling through the ice.

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According to witnesses, Basnet battled the frigid water and the icy conditions but was unable to pull himself out.  Unfortunately, no one was close enough to help him.

According to the Burlington Vermont Fire Department, firefighters in "cold water protective clothing were able to locate the man in approximately 15 feet of water and extricated him at 2:22 pm."   The incident was said to have happened behind the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain.

Authorities believe he was submerged in 15 feet of water for more than ten minutes and was later pronounced dead at University of Vermont Medical Center.

I cant even comprehend the sheer horror of being trapped underneath an ice surface which is why it's always important to check signs and information that are posted near all bodies of water.   You can never be too sure.