A man on the rope, Wilkinson, suddenly went through to the shoulders, but was immediately hauled out.

During the operation the ice under the motor was seen to give, and suddenly it and the motor disappeared.

The men kept hold of the rope, but it cut through the ice towards them with an ever increasing strain, obliging one after another to let go.

Half a minute later nothing remained but a big hole.

Perhaps it was lucky there was no accident to the men, but it's a sad incident for us in any case.