Rescuers win a race against time to save woman trapped on the ice in remote northern Ont. town

A dramatic rescue took place in a remote part of northern Ontario over the weekend, with crews managing to save a woman trapped on the ice at night.

A dramatic rescue took place in a remote part of northern Ontario over the weekend, with crews managing to save a woman trapped on the ice at night.

Adding to the drama was the spring break-up on Moose River in Moosonee barrelling toward them just a few kilometres away.

Moosonee Volunteer Fire Department Chief Scott Grant said they got the call around 9:30 p.m. April 30 that a woman was trapped on the ice.

“They were screaming for help and screaming really loud, obviously sounded like they were in distress,” Grant said, in a phone interview Tuesday.

“I immediately activated our drone team, our fire rescue team and I went and investigated the area right away. It was determined we could see an individual approximately 600 metres out on the ice.”

But their view was getting more difficult as the sun set, he said, and by the time rescue equipment was in place, it was dark and they lost sight of her.

“We didn't have … flashlights that could reach out that far,” Grant said. “It's pitch black now on the ice.”