Property owners around Sturgeon Lake watched and listened as tragedy unfolded.
Two sledders were riding on the lake around 6 p.m. Saturday when their snowmobiles went through the ice and into frigid water.
"The snowmobiles were heard. A light was seen and then silence. That was replaced by cries for help," said OPP Sgt. Peter Leon.
"When you hear those cries for help people want to get out there and do something and they do put themselves in harm's way."
Bystanders rushed to the scene and at their own peril rescued a 46-year-old man but a second rider was missing. The body of a 48-year-old Earl Strong of Courtice was recovered by OPP drivers on Sunday afternoon.
Strong was an Acting Captain with Toronto Fire and expressions of sorrow flooded social media.
"Deeply saddened by the tragic off-duty accident that has claimed the life of Toronto Fire Acting Captain Earl Strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and crew members," tweeted Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg.
"Our sincere condolences to friends and family of active member A/Capt Earl Strong who died tragically on Jan. 20 while off-duty. In our hearts and minds..." the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association posted on its social media accounts.
Strong's death came on the first day of Snowmobile Safety Week in Ontario.
It cast an even more sombre tone to the official kick off of the event Monday at the Ontario Travel Centre in Barrie where OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair lamented the statistics.
"Much to our dismay and to be honest our disbelief, the 2016-2017 season marked the highest number of snowmobile deaths in OPP jurisdictions in almost 15 years. 27 people died," Blair said.
Last season was the worst on record for snowmobilers who died on frozen waterways with nine deaths compared to a total of eight in the five seasons prior.
"Having nine of those deaths in one season is, for a lack of a better term, off the charts for us and certainly for the victims themselves and their families," Blair said.
And he said the theme is continuing. So far this season, there have been eight snowmobile fatalities with two of the deceased going through the ice with their sleds. The majority of other fatalities occurred on lakes.
"I think I'm past frustration," said the Deputy Commissioner. "What I do feel is a tragic sense of loss for the victims who are dying unnecessarily. More so I think about their families, loved ones and friends who will struggle to comprehend a fact this is so preventable and that loved one is now lost forever."
Investigations indicate the vast majority of sledders who died placed themselves in a risky situation, Blair said listing speeding, losing control, consuming alcohol or drugs just before or while riding, riding on unsafe ice and inattentive driving.
There are more than 30,000 km of trails in the Ontario's snow belt and more than 100,000 members in the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.
"We're also reeling from news of yet more incidents this weekend," said Lisa Stackhouse of the OFSC. "Tragedies are always sad however facts demonstrate that the vast majority of snowmobile incidents are the result of poor decisions."
She went on to add, "No amount of enforcement by the OPP can stop people from making bad decisions. We as a snowmobiling community are the only ones that can be vigilant, cautious and wise before and during Ontario snowmobile experiences."
Stackhouse urged riders to check trail status online, know the law and make smart choices.
One bright spot at the event was when OPP Insp. Rick Riopelle recounted an incident where a 60-year-old man was rescued by the OPP in Dec. after his sled went through the ice on Fairlan Lake in Tiny Township.
Thanks to the heroic efforts of OPP Const. Scott Orson, the man was brought to safety after clinging to the edge of the ice and submerged in freezing water for about 30 minutes.
Blair also noted the impact of the tragedies to his officers also, calling the deaths preventable and senseless.
"People ask our officers 'When is the ice is safe for snowmobiles?' Ice is never completely safe," said Blair.
For details on safe riding visit http://www.ofsc.on.ca/experience/go-safe.
For other information about snowmobiling and to check trails go to http://www.ofsc.on.ca/http://www.ofsc.on.ca/.
