The search for David Allen Hartke, who fell through the ice on Lake Ponderosa near Montezuma ended successfully with his recovery Tuesday evening.
According to Chris Widmer, chief, Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department, divers located David Allen Hartke, 57, Grundy Center, at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013. Hartke reportedly fell through a weak spot in the ice on Lake Ponderosa while ice fishing Saturday evening, Dec. 14. The Ranger and ice hut he was using also fell into the lake.
The initial dive teams had located both the Ranger and the hut Saturday night, but the Ranger was resting on its roof in approximately 14 feet of water.
After four days of divers searching the area, they located Hartke inside the Ranger after they were able to roll the vehicle over.
“The search wouldn’t have ended successfully without the help of the divers who volunteered their time,” Widmer said. Dive teams from Johnson County Metro Dive Team and the Central Iowa Underwater Search and Rescue team arrived on the scene on Saturday evening. Divers with the Midwest Regional Dive Team continued the search on Monday.
Bruce’s Legacy, a not-for-profit search and recovery organization from Wisconsin arrived Tuesday evening and will remove the Ranger from the lake Wednesday.
“The overwhelming support of area volunteer firefighters, the Lake Ponderosa community and area businesses were invaluable throughout the four days,” said Trisha Rooda, Poweshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator.
Article from: www.woi-tv.com