Monday, January 12, 2009

LOCAL RESIDENT AND FIRE CREW HAILED HEROES FOR SAVING MAN’S LIFE

(Havilland Township, ON) – On Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. Tammy Berto, a resident of Albert Terrace in Havilland Township just happened to be looking out the window of her residence which overlooks Havilland Bay on Lake Superior when she saw a snowmobile out on the ice. Two days prior that section had been open water.

At that moment, Berto observed the snowmobile’s back end go through the ice, come back up and do a 360 degree spin before the driver and machine went through the ice and into the frigid water of Lake Superior.

Bert immediately called 911 then her and her daughter’s boyfriend went next door, grabbed an aluminum boat and tried to rescue the snowmobile by chipping their way through the ice but were unable to get all the way.

Berto kept talking to the snowmobiler giving him words of encouragement as he was unable to get out of the water.

Moments later the Goulais River Fire and Rescue Department arrived on scene with the OPP.

Members of the Goulais River Fire Department using rescue equipment, crawled out to where the snowmobiler was. One member entered the water to help the snowmobiler up onto the ice.

OPP officers, Goulais River Fire Department members, OPP STOP officers, along with two off duty MNR Conservation Officer’s assisted to pull the snowmobiler to shore where ambulance attendants were waiting. Sixty one (61) year old Steve FOSBERG of Havilland Shores Drive was transported to Sault Area Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

This incident comes just days after OPP issued a warning urging operators to exercise caution while riding a snowmobile. Sled safety is in the hands of the operator. Snowmobile operators must use common sense, exercise caution. It could be a life or death decision.

VEHICLE IN DITCH LEADS TO IMPAIRED DRIVER

(Denis Township, ON) – On Sunday, January 11th at approximately 8:00 p.m. Sault Ste. Marie OPP officers were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision on Lakeshore Drive in Denis Township.

A 2002 Chevrolet Pick Up was travelling eastbound on Lakeshore Drive when it ended up in the snow bank.

The driver had left the scene on foot but was located by an off duty Police Officer on the roadway.

The driver was displaying obvious signs of impairment.

Arrested and charged with one count of Impaired Driving and one count of Fail to Provide a Breath Sample under the Criminal Code is 64 year old Giuseppe DI-SISTO of 487 Lakeshore Drive in Dennis Township.

Di-Sisto was issued a 90 day licence suspension and released on a Promise to Appear for Court on the 2nd March 2008.