ATV Breaks Through Ice on Lake Francis

(Learfield News/Meeker County, MN) – Two men escaped injury after their ATV broke through the ice on Lake Francis in Meeker County Saturday night.

Deputies say 20-year-old Nicholas Eckhoff of Dassel and 20-year-old Gabrial Laplante of Litchfield ended up in waist-deep water around 9:44 p.m. Both made it safely to shore and declined medical care.

Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze reminds the public that early ice is never completely safe.

As a guideline: 4 inches for walking, 5-8 inches for ATVs, 9-12 for cars, and 13-17 for trucks.

Officials urge everyone to check ice thickness before venturing out.