A pickup truck has crashed through the ice on Lake Winnipesaukee but the driver escaped.
State officials say 44-year-old John Ash was headed out about 5:30 a.m. Friday to set up a vending station for this weekend's New England Pond Hockey Classic.
About 100 yards offshore, where the ice was about 4 inches thick, Ash heard the ice crack. He tried reversing but the truck went nose first into the lake. The water was about 6 feet deep and Ash escaped safely.
Moving water apparently kept the ice from getting thicker there. About 30 feet away, the ice was 10 inches thick.
The truck has been removed from the lake.
Officials caution lake users to be sure of ice thickness and remember that it varies from spot to spot.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
