Keith Lusher 02.04.26
Two men died and two others were treated for hypothermia Sunday night after a snowmobile fell through the ice while returning from an ice fishing trip on Chaumont Pond in St. Lawrence County, New York.
New York State Police identified the victims as Bryan P. LaPlante, 33, of Newton Falls, and Michael J. Booth, 48, of Oswegatchie. Both were pronounced dead after being pulled from the water.
State police said troopers were dispatched around 7:40 p.m. Sunday to County Route 60 in the Town of Clifton following a report of people going through the ice while riding a snowmobile. Investigators determined that LaPlante, Booth, and a 6 year old child had been ice fishing earlier that day on Chaumont Pond, which is connected to the Oswegatchie River.
When the group failed to return home, 51 year old Patrick LaPlante went to the area to check on them. Police said he found Bryan LaPlante in the water and attempted a rescue by crawling onto the ice. He also broke through but was able to pull himself out. Booth and the child were not immediately located.
Patrick LaPlante returned to his residence to warm up and reported the incident. According to police, the 6 year old later arrived at the residence after walking from the scene. Both were transported to Clifton-Fine Hospital for treatment of hypothermia.
Rescue crews later located Bryan LaPlante and Booth unresponsive in the water. Both men were transported to Gouverneur Hospital with CPR in progress, but were later pronounced dead.
St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Richard Rusaw said ice fishing equipment was observed floating in an open hole near the scene, suggesting the group was returning from fishing when the incident occurred.
A person close to the situation provided a slightly different account, saying the child, his father, and a friend were on the snowmobile when it broke through the ice. According to that account, the father was able to lift the child out of the water but could not free himself or his friend. The child then walked nearly two miles to find help and call 911.
Rusaw said the loss has deeply affected the small community.
“They were members of our community and belonged to hunting clubs with some of the members, so it’s tough,” he said. “We’re looking at doing a stress debrief for all those that were involved.”
The incident remains under investigation.
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