Two BC men die after falling through ice while fishing at Grace Lake

Two men have died after falling through the ice while ice fishing at Grace Lake, authorities confirmed.

Agassiz RCMP received a report at 11:16 p.m. on Tuesday that the men, who had gone fishing earlier in the day, had not returned home.

A concerned family member went to their expected location and found a large hole in the ice along with abandoned fishing gear, leading them to believe the men had fallen through.

Search and rescue teams from Kent-Harrison, Mission, and Chilliwack responded to the scene, along with the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team (URT).

The bodies of the two men were located beneath the ice and recovered in a challenging operation.

The URT is a specialized police diving unit trained for difficult underwater recoveries, including ice diving. Their expertise, combined with search and rescue efforts, ensured the safe retrieval of the victims and confirmed no other individuals were at risk.

Agassiz RCMP said they are working with the BC Coroners Service to investigate the deaths but do not believe foul play was involved.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased during this difficult time," said Cpl. Chad Raymond, spokesperson for the Agassiz RCMP.

"This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that ice conditions are constantly changing, and even if you’ve tested the thickness, the weather and water conditions can make it unsafe."

Officials urge anyone venturing onto ice-covered bodies of water to exercise caution. More safety information is available from the Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon.