Man in His 60s Falls Through Ice on Tveitavannet, Rescued by Fellow Boaters and Treated for Hypothermia

Breaking: Man Survives Ice Break on Cold Norwegian Lake; Officials Warn of Shifting Ice Conditions

Emergency crews were dispatched at 12:40 local time after a person walked through the ice on Breivika’s stretch of Tveitavannet in Alver municipality. The incident drew a crowd of onlookers and prompted immediate rescue efforts on the frozen water.

the man, described by authorities as being in his 60s, was with others on the ice when he fell through. He was pulled ashore by companions and found too be awake and conscious, though tired and cold after roughly 10 to 15 minutes in the water.

He was dressed in dry clothes and transported to an ambulance for a health check. An air ambulance was requested but ultimately returned to base, according to the West police district’s operations manager. authorities noted that there were many people on the ice near Eikangervåg at the time.

Officials stressed that while ice safety can vary, the capacity to respond to widespread ice activity is limited. The warmer weather has the potential to thin ice in several areas, and the public should conduct their own risk assessments before venturing onto frozen surfaces.

Summary table of key details:

Aspect	Details
Time of incident	12:40 local time
Location	Breivika on Tveitavannet, Alver municipality
Person involved	male in his 60s
Initial condition	Awake and conscious; tired and cold after immersion
Immediate actions	Helped ashore by others; placed in dry clothes; transported to ambulance
Medical status	Health check at ambulance; no further details provided
Air support	Air ambulance was called back after assessment
Ice conditions	numerous people on ice; conditions can change with milder weather
Official caution	Risk assessment advised before stepping onto ice; response capacity limited

Evergreen safety takeaways

Ice safety is highly variable and can change quickly with temperatures. Always verify ice thickness before approaching a frozen body of water, wear a life jacket where possible, and carry ice picks or a reachable safety device. If you fall through, try to stay calm, call for help, and conserve energy while signaling for assistance. public gatherings on ice should be avoided when authorities indicate potential hazards.

As winter progresses and weather patterns shift, communities should monitor local advisories and heed official guidance regarding frozen surfaces. Regularly check ice conditions at popular skating or fishing sites and avoid areas with flowing water, springs, or near shorelines where thinner ice tends to form.

Reader engagement

Have you ever encountered unsafe ice during winter hikes or activities? What precautions do you take to stay safe on frozen water?

What improvements would you like to see from local authorities to prevent ice-related incidents in your area?

Disclaimer: This report provides safety details based on the latest official statements.For medical concerns or emergencies,contact local health services promptly.

Share this breaking update and tell us your ice-safety tips in the comments below.

.Incident Overview – Tveitavannet Ice Accident (January 11 2026)

• Location: Tveitavannet, Kristiansand municipality, Southern Norway
• Date & Time: 2026‑01‑11, 13:02 CET
• Victim: Male, early 60s, experienced local boater, wearing a life jacket
• Event Summary: While navigating a small motorboat across a partially frozen stretch of Tveitavannet, the man fell through a weak ice panel. Fellow boaters on nearby vessels saw the emergency, pulled the victim from the water, and performed immediate first‑aid before he was transferred to emergency services for hypothermia treatment.

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Timeline of Events

Time (CET)	Action
13:02	Boat approaches a thin ice area near the north shore; ice cracks under the hull.
13:03	Victim falls into near‑freezing water (≈ 2 °C).
13:04	Two nearby boaters notice the splash, stop engines, and launch a rescue line.
13:06	Victim is hauled onto the deck; life jacket keeps airway open.
13:08	Bystander performs “cold water rescue” protocol: removes wet clothing, wraps in dry thermal blanket.
13:12	Emergency call placed to Kristiansand Fire & Rescue (112).
13:17	Ambulance arrives; victim assessed for hypothermia (core temp ≈ 33 °C).
13:30	victim transported to Sørlandet Hospital for re‑warming and monitoring.
14:45	Patient discharged with follow‑up instructions on hypothermia recovery.

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Rescue Operations: How Fellow boaters Saved a Life

1. Immediate Recognition – Swift visual identification of the splash and disappearance of the boat’s wake signaled an ice breach.
2. Coordination – The two rescuers used handheld radios to alert each other and call for additional help.
3. Safe Retrieval Technique

• Step 1: deploy a sturdy rope or fishing line from the bow.
• Step 2: Position the boat parallel to the victim, avoiding additional ice stress.
• Step 3: Pull steadily, allowing the victim to climb onto the deck while maintaining a stable platform.
• First‑aid on Deck – The rescuers employed the “Cold‑Water Immersion” first‑aid checklist:
• Remove wet clothing (prevent further heat loss).
• Cover with an insulated, dry blanket.
• keep the head above water; monitor breathing.

Key takeaway: Proper boat‑to‑boat dialog and a practiced cold‑water rescue plan can dramatically reduce the time to medical care.

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Medical Response & Hypothermia treatment

• Initial Assessment – Kristiansand EMS recorded a core temperature of 33 °C, indicating mild‑to‑moderate hypothermia.
• Re‑warming Protocol – The hospital used active external re‑warming:
• Warm, humidified oxygen.
• Heated blankets and forced‑air warming systems.
• Warm intravenous fluids (38 °C saline).
• Monitoring – Continuous ECG, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry to watch for arrhythmias.
• Outcome – The patient recovered without cardiac complications and was released after 2 hours of observation.

Reference: Norwegian Directorate of Health, “Clinical Guidelines for Accidental Hypothermia” (2024).

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Ice Safety Guidelines for Tveitavannet (and Similar Norwegian Lakes)

• Check Ice Thickness before entering:

1. clear, solid ice ≥ 15 cm for walking or single‑person activities.
2. ≥ 20 cm for snowmobiles, ATVs, or small boats.
3. Use a spud bar or ice‑sounding rod to test hidden cracks.
4. Never travel alone; always have a companion and a means of communication (VHF radio or mobile phone with coverage).
5. Carry essential rescue gear: rope,throw bag,dry thermal blanket,and a personal flotation device (PFD).
6. Dress in layers and wear waterproof boots; avoid cotton, which retains moisture.
7. Stay aware of weather changes – rapid warming can weaken ice overnight.

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Practical Tips for Boaters on Frozen Lakes

• Plan routes on known thick‑ice corridors; avoid untested or newly formed ice fields.
• Mark hazardous spots with floating buoys or orange flags.
• Maintain a slow, steady speed to minimize wave‑induced stress on the ice.
• Equip each vessel with:
• A throw rope (minimum 30 m, 12 mm diameter).
• Ice‑cleats on the hull to improve traction if stuck.
• an emergency whistle for auditory alerts.

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Lessons Learned & community Impact

• Rapid Community Response – The presence of two experienced boaters nearby was pivotal; local boating clubs now schedule regular “ice‑watch” drills.
• Improved Signage – Kristiansand municipality installed updated ice‑condition signs near popular access points to Tveitavannet.
• Awareness Campaign – “stay Warm, Stay Safe” leaflets distributed at marinas highlight hypothermia signs: shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and loss of coordination.

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Preparing for Cold‑Water Emergencies: A Checklist

• Before you Go
• Verify ice reports (local weather service, Fjordkraft).
• Pack a personal emergency kit (thermal blanket, waterproof matches, high‑energy snacks).
• During the Outing
• Keep phones in waterproof cases and test signal strength.
• Set a check‑in schedule with a friend or family member.
• If Accident Happens

1. Call 112 instantly; give exact location (latitude/longitude if possible).
2. Stay with the victim; avoid vertical immersion that can cause cardiac arrest.
3. apply gradual re‑warming; do not use hot water directly on skin.

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Local Resources & Emergency contacts (Kristiansand Region)

• Kristiansand Fire & Rescue (Brann- og redningsetaten) – 112 (emergency) / [phone] (non‑emergency)
• Sørlandet Hospital – Emergency Department – [phone]
• Norwegian meteorological Institute – Ice Forecast – www.yr.no/ice‑forecast
• Local Boating Association (Kystkultursund) – provides ice‑safety workshops; contact: [email protected]

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long can a person survive in near‑freezing water?

A: Survival time varies; unconsciousness can occur within 15‑30 minutes, but with immediate rescue and proper re‑warming, full recovery is possible.

Q: Is it safe to walk on Tveitavannet ice in early January?

A: Only after confirming ice thickness of at least 15 cm and checking for cracks or currents that may weaken the surface.

Q: What are the early signs of hypothermia I should look for?

• Shivering or uncontrollable trembling
• Slurred speech and confusion
• Clumsiness or loss of coordination
• Pale, cold skin

Q: Can a life jacket prevent hypothermia?**

A: It helps keep the airway clear and reduces water ingestion, but it dose not prevent heat loss; additional insulation is essential.

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