Floyd Hardison: Maine man dies in Spring River Lake after ATV driven by his grandson breaks through ice
HANCOCK COUNTY, MAINE: A Maine grandfather lost his life in a tragic accident on Friday, February 10, when the ATV he and his grandson were riding on plunged into a frozen lake.
Floyd Hardison, 88, was returning from ice fishing with his son and two grandsons on Spring River Lake in Hancock County when the incident occurred.
Floyd Hardison and his grandson were 400 yards from the shore when the incident happened
According to Mark Latti, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Floyd Hardison had spent the day ice fishing with his son and two grandsons.
After a day of fishing, Hardison was returning to shore at around 6 pm when the ATV his grandson drove broke through the ice.
The ATV was about 400 yards from the shore, as per a news release from the department, cited by News Center Maine.
Hardison’s adult grandson, who was driving the ATV, managed to escape, but Hardison could not get out of the sinking vehicle.
Floyd Hardison's body was recovered 10 feet down in Spring River Lake
The reports said several agencies responded to the scene, including Maine Game Wardens, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and Franklin and Sullivan fire departments.
Hardison’s body was recovered at about 8.25 pm by a local firefighter at a depth of 10 feet of water, the reports said.
His body was taken to Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home in Ellsworth. No other injuries were reported, and two other ATVs on the ice did not fall through, Latti told News Centre Maine.
The lake is over 700 acres in size and has a maximum depth of 28 feet.
Rescue agency urges to be careful saying there is not as much ice as people think
Sullivan Fire and Rescue expressed their sympathy to Hardison’s family and friends and warned people to be careful on the ice.
They wrote on Facebook, “PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE if you go out on the ice be careful.
"Things can go bad in a hurry. There isn’t as much ice as people may think. A four-seat side-by-side weighs quite a bit," they said.
They added, "A tragedy on Spring River Lake this evening with one individual losing their life. All the first responders involved in the search, location, and recovery are clear and safe."
"Please pray for the family of the individual and the crews on the rescue. It’s a hard job and I want to thank my crew as well as the others for their dedication to the public in their times of need,” the post further read.
"Floyd Hardison you always had a big smile on your face and always making everyone around u laugh. I have nothing but great memories from when I was a kid being around u you will be missed and you was super loved by all," a family member, Paul Cote wrote.
