Ice Safety

Red Cross officials are warning about the potential dangers of icy waters following an incident over the weekend on the Muskingum River.

On Sunday Zanesville Police and Fire department responded to a call that two people may have been drowning in the river. The call prompted a 30 minute search. After speaking to eye witnesses police feel it was juevenilles playing in the water. It is not safe to be on the river. What may appear frozen can be thin ice.

"They step on it and the next thing you know they go through and the current is so fast under there is sucks you down underneath and you are trapped under the ice and can’t get out " said Julie Davis, Red Cross.

Even swimming in the river can be life threatening. Officials feel the kids may have been polar bear diving.

" The water is still going to be pretty well below freezing and hypothermia can set in in just a matter of 1 – 2 minutes" said Davis.

The river can be dangerous in any season due to the current.