Snowmobiler dies after falling under lake’s ice

A 42-year-old Johnstown man was killed after he fell under the ice Thursday night while snowmobiling on Peck Lake, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

A body recovered around 5 a.m. Friday was identified as Todd Wheaton, Sheriff Richard Giardino said Friday. While an autopsy has not yet been conducted to confirm, the cause of death appears to be drowning, he said.

Giardino said Wheaton was one of three men snowmobiling across the lake around 8 p.m. Thursday in Fulton County when two of the sleds went through the ice and Wheaton went underwater.

The two other men were able to get to a local business to call 911, and a search by state, county and municipal police and fire agencies lasted through the night, he said.

The Meco, Mayfield and Caroga Lake volunteer fire departments recovered the snowmobiles and other equipment from the ice, while the Saratoga County Sheriff’s dive team found Wheaton’s body, he said.

A Gofundme page has been set up for Wheaton’s family, Giardino noted.

“They have a child that’s a few months old,” he said. “And this tragedy has struck a lot of his family and friends.”

The Gofundme page describes Wheaton as “an amazing husband, father, son, friend and so much more.”

Funds will go to funeral expenses and his son’s future college fund, the page said.

“There is just not enough words to explain how much he was loved and the pain his wife and family are going through at this time,” the page said.

With warmer temperatures and recent rainfall, Giardino urged caution against traveling on any area lakes.

“Much of the ice is compromised,” the sheriff said. “It’s misleading how thick the ice is.”