Man Dies In Ice Accident At Fort Peck Lake
A 72-year-old Rexford man died Saturday, Jan. 16, after the UTV he was in fell through the ice near Crooked Creek on Fort Peck Lake.
The Petroleum County Sheriff’s Office reported that four fisherman were involved in an incident on the ice at Fort Peck lake near Crooked Creek Marina north of Winnett. The report came in around 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16.
Monday, Jan. 18, Petroleum County Coroner RJ Brown confirmed the identity of the man who drowned as Roger F. Schaad of Rexford, formerly of Shepherd.
An autopsy is scheduled in Billings with the state medical examiner.
The men were apparently headed back to the marina in two UTV side-by-sides when they drifted off course and found themselves on unsafe ice. One of the UTVs fell through the ice and quickly became submerged with two men onboard. One of the men was able to escape and the other group was able to help pull him out of the water to safety. Schaad was not able to get out and drowned as a result.
A recovery effort was launched. The Winnett Volunteer Fire Department assisted, as did the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Winnett Ambulance and the PCSO participated in the recovery along with several area sportsman. At approximately 11:30 p.m., the team was able to recover Schaad’s body.
The PCSO warned all sportsmen who plan to fish on Fort Peck this winter to be very careful of the ice conditions.
