Man dies after falling through Wolf Lake ice
By Michelle L. Quinn Post-Tribune correspondent January 3, 2013 10:58AM
The Indiana Toll Road and the Illiana Yacht Club are in the distance as the water is frozen at a boat launch near the Wolf Lake Pavilion at Wolf Lake in Hammond, Ind. Thursday January 3, 2012. A man fell through the ice while skating late Wednesday night and was not able to be revived. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media
Maps
Updated: February 5, 2013 6:23AM
HAMMOND — A Whiting man died Wednesday night after falling through the ice on Wolf Lake and being submerged for at least 20 minutes.
Hammond Fire Chief Jeff Smith said his department received a call around 10:15 p.m. that Edward Inhat, 50, and another man had fallen through the ice as they were skating. The other man was able to get out and go to the Illiana Yacht Club on 112th Street and Stateline Road.
Using its fire rescue equipment, two Hammond firefighters searched for Inhat and were able to locate him. EMS crews started CPR while waiting for a University of Chicago Aeromedical Network helicopter to arrive and transport him. UCAN paramedics were unable to find a pulse, however, and chose not to airlift him, Smith said.
EMS continued to work on Inhat while en route to Franciscan St. Margaret Health’s north campus. Smith estimated the man had been submerged for 20 to 25 minutes.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office said Inhat, of the 1500 block of Roberts Avenue, died from drowning.
Hammond and Indiana State Police Officers closed off a portion of the Indiana Toll Road for the helicopter to land, Smith said.
Smith implored residents to stay off any bodies of water right now because it’s especially not safe.
“It’s only been cold for a few days, so it would take two weeks for the ice to harden,” he said.
