Angler brought to hospital after falling through ice at Cosmo-Bethel Lake

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One person was brought to a hospital on Friday after they fell through the ice at Cosmo-Bethel Lake.

Columbia firefighters responded to the park at 2:37 p.m. after two people fell through the ice while they were ice fishing.

A Columbia Fire Department spokesperson said one of the anglers fell through the ice and a second person ended up in the water while they tried to rescue them. The second person was able to escape to shore and other residents tossed a rope to the person who was still stuck in the ice, CFD said. Firefighters were able to rescue the fisherman and that person was brought to an area hospital by ambulance.

Ice skating had opened last week at Stephens Lake Park and ice fishing opened at Cosmo-Bethel Park after intense cold the previous weekend had led to area lakes freezing 4-inches deep.

However, the City of Columbia announced on Tuesday that it had closed ice skating and ice fishing at both lakes because of warming temperatures. Friday had a high of 51 degrees Fahrenheit.