A 10-foot U-Haul truck went through the ice on Echo Lake early Saturday, after being driven more than 450 yards across the lake.
The Southwest Harbor Fire Department was called to help the Mount Desert Fire Department rescue a truck and person who went through the ice at about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Southwest Harbor Fire Department.
The driver, a 75-year-old man, was reportedly confused and not sure where he was driving, according to Maine Warden Service spokesperson Mark Latti. The man was not under the influence of alcohol, he said.
The man drove down Ike’s Point Road, then continued onto the ice, where he drove another 450-plus yards before partially breaking through about 5 inches of ice, where he stopped, Latti said.
The driver was able to crawl to the top of the truck and call 911, he said.
Firefighters walked across the ice and carried him back to shore before taking him to MDI Hospital, where he was treated and released.
Later in the morning, the truck broke through about an inch of ice and became submerged. A marine salvage company will remove the truck when the ice on the lake thickens, Latti said.