Shortcut results in icy death

T

his week in Prince

George history,

March 18-24: March

20, 1924: A Prince

George man died on

March 16, 1924, after plunging through the ice covering the Fraser River.

“George Campbell, a man of about (30) years, lost his life in the Fraser River on Sunday evening as the result of his efforts to cross on the weakened ice sheet,” The Citizen reported. “Campbell was a son-in-law of A. Damms, a rancher residing on the east side of the Fraser, about six miles below the railway bridge. He had made an engagement to go to work in one of the logging camps to the west of the city, and was crossing the ice to catch the train out of Prince George when he went through and was lost.”

About 7 p.m.. Denis Poquette, who lived on the west side of the river near where Campbell attempted to cross, heard cries coming from the river.

He and a companion, Charles Johnson, ran to the riverbank to try and help. “They did not catch sight of Campbell, but out on the ice, about (50) feet from the bank, they saw a cap, close to open water,” The Citizen reported. “They searched along the river bank for some time but, finding no trace of the person from whom the cries came, at once notified the police. (The) search was continued the greater part of Monday, but without result.”

Campbell had been carrying a backpack filled with blankets and other personal belongings when he left Damms’ ranch. The pack and its contents may have become saturated with water and dragged him down.

“The provincial police recovered the body of Campbell on Tuesday afternoon,” The Citizen reported. “It was found in an eddy a short distance below the point at which the unfortunate man went through the ice.”

The water where he went through the ice was about 12 feet deep with a strong current, The Citizen reported. The point where he crossed was the last place on the river the ice reached from shore to shore, and only 50 feet away there was open water running.

“It is said Campbell had crossed the river on the Saturday with a companion, and should have know at that time that the crossing was even then hazardous,” The Citizen reported. “A walk of a couple of miles would have enabled him to have crossed on the railway bridge, but he may have been pressed for time to catch his train and took the chance on the ice crossing with fatal results.”

In April 1998, three-year-old James Rogers died after falling through ice on a sewage lagoon near his Pineview home, The Citizen reported. Police officers were able to pull Rogers from the ice, but he died in hospital.

In April 1945, Bill Corner fell through the ice half a mile from shore while crossing Francois Lake – where he worked as an engineer on the ferry. Corner was rescued by three men who came out from the shore with a rope and life ring, although one of the rescuers fell through and also had to be rescued.

Prince George resident Ryan Flynn, then nine years old, received a Meritorious Commonwealth Award for bravery for his March 27, 1992 rescue of four-year-old Missy Elfson.

Elfson fell through the ice in a water-filled ditch and Flynn used a tree branch to pull her to safety, The Citizen reported.

A two-year-old girl drowned in a foot of water in April 1971 after falling through thin ice covering a shallow excavation on her neighbour’s property on Pooley Road.

In February 1960, a pair of children fell through the ice of a slough in the city. Their mother, Patricia Wright, managed to pull one of the children to safety, but Johnny Wright – the younger of the two children – drowned.

To explore 100 years of local history yourself, visit the Prince George Citizen archives online at: The Prince George Citizen online archives are maintained by the Prince George Public Library.

Into the Woods, a UNBC Musical Productions project, can be see until Sunday at 7 p.m. each evening at Canfor Theatre at UNBC, 3333 University Way.

The play follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk.

When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

Tickets available at the Winter Garden, Books & Co., and