Elderly man dies after falling through the ice near Toronto Islands

Ice breaking path of Wards Island Ferry on frozen Lake Ontario in Toronto winter. © 2014 Reimar Gaertner

By Meredith Bond

Posted January 10, 2025 2:16 pm.

Last Updated January 10, 2025 3:08 pm.

An elderly man has died after falling through the ice near the Toronto Islands.

Toronto fire crews were called to Lagoon Road and Centre Island Parkway around 8 p.m. Thursday after reports someone had been missing since 3 p.m. He had reportedly been skating on the ice, according to Toronto Fire.

Residents had found a hole in the ice and notified Toronto Fire. Fire crews handed over the investigation to Toronto police after searching the location overnight.

Police later confirmed a male in his 70s fell through the ice into Lake Ontario and he was located deceased shortly after.

Officers remind residents to stay off frozen lakes, rivers and ponds as the ice breaking can put you at serious risk in the freezing water.

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