Man safe after breaking through Mendenhall Lake

Man safe after breaking through Mendenhall Lake

‘Good citizen’ provides rescue

Juneau resident Bob Funk was riding his bike on frozen Mendenhall Lake Sunday, and next thing he knew, he broke through the ice and was submerged in icy water.

Luckily, a good Samaritan was on scene — an ice skater with a throw rope — who helped rescue him and “very probably helped save my life,” Funk said.

In an interview with the Empire on Moday, Funk said that he was racing near the face of the glacier when he broke through thin ice. He was with his 9-year-old grandson and a friend, also on bikes, at the time, enjoying a cold snap along with dozens of other skaters, hockey players, hikers and bikers.

“I think I got overconfident and was going too fast and not paying attention to what was in front of me,” he said, adding he didn’t realize he was on thin ice until it was too late.

Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Chad Cameron said CCFR received an emergency call about the incident just after 2 p.m. After the good citizen thew a rope in to aid Funk out of the frigid glacier water, Funk made his way back to shore by bike.

“We were told the person was riding a bike coming on in and was very cold,” Cameron said. “So we waited at the shore until they got there and got them in a warm ambulance and got some of their wet clothing off. They chose not to go to Bartlett Regional Hospital, so once we got them warm, they were released.”

CCFR responded to a similar incident of a dog falling through the Mendenhall ice a few days earlier, Cameron said. Crews were quickly called off when the dog escaped the water on its own.

Cameron said Mendenhall Lake’s ice thickness is variable but ice near the glacier’s face and Nugget Falls always merit extra caution.

“There’s hidden dangers out there all the time,” he said.


• Contact reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com.


People on Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

People on Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The Mendenhall Glacier. (Juneau Empire file)

The Mendenhall Glacier. (Juneau Empire file)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy poses with then-President Donald Trump during a refueling stop by Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in February of 2019. (Official White House photo)
Report: Dunleavy discussing Interior secretary post with Trump transition officials

Alaska governor has said he’s open to such a job; Trump video praises “very special relationship.”

Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (right) points Megan Behnke toward a checkout person during the annual Juneau Ski Sale at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Anticipation and anxieties accumulating with Eaglecrest’s scheduled opening less than a month away

Big turnout at annual ski sale despite loss of a main lift at resort; more critical crowd at public forum.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

President Donald Trump and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy pose for a photo aboard Air Force One during a stopover at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in 2019. (Sheila Craighead / White House photo)
Alaska Capitol’s ‘worst-kept secret’ is that Gov. Dunleavy may leave office to join Trump

Some lawmakers believe governor may not be in office when new Legislature convenes in January.

Most Read