According to police reports, five ice skaters were rescued from Lake Champlain near Charlotte Town Beach on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, after a section of ice broke apart beneath them. The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m., prompting a coordinated response from the Vermont State Police and various first-response agencies.
Emergency crews established an incident command post at the beach and dispatched an inflatable boat to reach the skaters, who were located approximately 675 yards from shore. The rescue team navigated 200 yards of open water to retrieve the stranded individuals, safely bringing them back one by one to a stable section of ice, from where they walked to shore. Emergency medical services evaluated the skaters, who reported no injuries.
Additionally, three other skaters managed to reach safety independently by heading west toward the New York shoreline. Police say that the Vermont State Police, along with Charlotte Fire and Rescue, Shelburne Fire and Rescue, Vergennes Fire and Rescue, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Coast Guard, worked collaboratively during the operation.
Police remind the public that ice conditions can be unpredictable and urge caution when venturing onto frozen bodies of water.
Source: Vermont State Police press release, view original report. This Vermont five skaters story highlights important developments. The Vermont five skaters situation continues to develop.
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The Vermont five skaters situation continues to develop.
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Source: Vermont State Police
Bennington Vermont Charlotte ice rescue Lake Champlain public safety
Last modified: February 3, 2026
