MEREDITH — An ice fisher who fell through the ice was able to catch the attention of a man out walking his dog, a stroke of fortune that likely saved his life on Tuesday.

Meredith Fire Chief Ken Jones said his department was called for an ice rescue around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, in the vicinity of Leavitt Shores Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee.

When the first crew from the fire department arrived, the victim, a man from Candia, was already on the shore, being attended to by Sgt. William Goulet of the Meredith Police Department.

Jones said the victim, who said he had experience fishing through the ice on that part of the lake, had fallen through the ice and was unable to climb out on his own as the ice kept breaking underneath him. However, he was able to keep his head above water and call for help.

Fortunately for him, Larry Smith, a local resident, was out walking his dog.

Smith, said Jones, “heard the victim hollering. He rescued him by walking out onto the ice, throwing a strap to him and pulling him out.”

The frigid fisher got into some dry clothes, an ambulance from Stewart’s arrived and evaluated him as he warmed up inside the vehicle and he ultimately declined transportation to the hospital for further evaluation.

The man, who was fishing alone, told rescuers he had been in the water for around five minutes.

Jones said the incident should serve as a warning, noting a skater survived a similar ordeal, in the same part of the lake, just a week ago.

“Ice conditions, no matter where you are on the lake, varies. People going out on the ice should be taking very cautious precautions,” Jones said.

The winter weather this season has been erratic, with periods of heavy rain, enough cold to form ice in some parts, but enough warmth and water currents to keep ice from building in other areas.

“Certainly, on the big lake, Winnipesaukee, it’s not good at all. What seems to be safe is not safe at all.” Jones said the strange conditions this year mean that it would be dangerous to rely on past years’ experiences, because this year, ice is forming differently, if at all.

“I strongly urge people who are venturing out there to be checking the ice as they move along,” said Jones, noting the man who fell in on Tuesday was experienced. “He said he had been doing it for years, and said it was the first time falling through the ice. If it wasn’t for the local walking his dog, the outcome could have been very different.”

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