Ice fishing be careful

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One death already this year... Athol man drowns as pond ice breaks By Karen Nugent TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF An Athol man getting a start to the ice fishing season on a pond known to freeze early drowned on Clubhouse Pond in Warwick Saturday morning after ice apparently gave way. Roland C. Vincent, 58, of 172 Cottage St., Athol, was pronounced dead at the Athol Memorial Hospital after he was pulled from the icy water by rescue crews. Warwick Police Chief Brian C. Peters said a 911 caller at 9:34 a.m. Saturday reported seeing fishing tackle near a hole in the ice. Rescue crews from the Orange Water Rescue and the Northfield Dive Team found Mr. Vincent in about 12 feet of water at the bottom of the pond, which is also known as Sheomet Lake, and is part of Warwick State Forest. He was taken by Orange Ambulance to the Athol Memorial Hospital. It is unclear how long he had been in the water. Chief Peters said Mr. Vincent’s equipment was set up about 150 to 180 feet from the shoreline. “That pond freezes early, and it’s usually one of the first ponds people go ice fishing on,” the chief said. The 31-acre pond, off Route 78 and Athol Road, is stocked with trout by the state. Calling hours for Mr. Vincent are from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol. His family requested memorial contributions for Mr. Vincent be made to the fish and game club at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School in Orange, because he was an avid fisherman. Donations also may be made to the Salvation Army-Athol Corps. After a private ceremony, he will be buried in the Silver Lake Cemetery in Athol.