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Elderly Swede dies while ice sailing

Published: 31 Dec 10 16:13 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/31182/20101231/

A 71-year-old man died last night in western Sweden after becoming lost while ice sailing.

The man who had been out ice sailing on Kungsbackafjorden near Halland had become separated from his son who was riding alongside him on a motorcycle on Thursday afternoon.

They became separated as visibility worsened due to fog. The son waited half an hour before contacting the emergency services whose job was made harder by the weather and the ice.

"It is a risky operation on ice that is breaking up. The ice can change quickly as the current can break it up suddenly. The fog in the area meant that we can't use our helicopter" Mattias Hansson, who led the rescue operation, told Aftonbladet newspaper.

Kungsbackafjorden is twelve kilometres long and four kilometres wide

The 71 year old man was found dead in the early hours of Friday morning by a hovercraft from the Swedish coast guard.

His body, dressed in ordinary clothes with no life belt was found frozen fast under the ice.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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17:11 December 31, 2010 by sneal
I am a bit confused, what is ice sailing....and how in the world does a motorcycle fit into the equation? Does anyone understand this or can you explain this?
17:35 December 31, 2010 by hilt_m
What the hell is ice sailing
19:00 December 31, 2010 by dalarna
google -- ice yatching
19:36 December 31, 2010 by Swedesmith
Better than withering away in the nursing home, I guess.
20:07 December 31, 2010 by stillwatersrd
Salute! to the late 71-year-old ice sailor. I hope it brought you joy. And Happy New Year, Swedesmith. Your humor always puts a smile on my face, if not outright LOL!
21:22 December 31, 2010 by för30årseden
Absolutely! This is better than the long, slow, painful retreat peeing on oneself in a nursing home. He went out doing something active.

He should have a Viking's funeral in his iceboat!
10:55 January 1, 2011 by Keith #5083
Amazing.Incorrecly dressed, little or no safety precautions. The staggering arrogance of some older folks (i'm 66 so maybe that's also me). We just had a keep fit fanatic visitor in his early 60's - out he goes for a walk along the snowpacked roads. Ends up doing the 'Jesus thing' on the lake - except he falls through the ice.

Tells no-one that he's going on the ice, does so alone, does so without satety gear.

I'm sorry the ice sailor died, but if we will play dice with nature in irresponsible ways, we can expect consequences.

Once again, kudos to the rescue services who turn out whatever the day and certainly would prefer less tragic outcomes.
12:51 January 1, 2011 by johnny1939
Ice sailing is always risky regardless of age. I have a lot of respect for ice particularly on the sea. I do not understand why they did not return when fog rolld in but perhaps it came very quickly. Rest in peace!
13:20 January 2, 2011 by Janis Abens
It is ice yachting, not sailing. Strangely enough. And yes, the guy was apparently, perhaps not intentionally, suicidal. Anhother Darwin award, alas.
02:28 January 3, 2011 by JoeSwede
May he rest in peace.
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