First there were two 4-wheelers, then there was only one.

Charles Gilbert of Boothbay, ice fishing with Herbie Burnham on Biscay Pond on Monday, noticed a couple of men, also ice fishing, and their ATVs quite a distance away on the lake. He looked up just as one of the ATVs headed back across the lake, with the other one appearing to depart also. He turned away momentarily, and when he looked back, there was nothing - no man, no gear, no ATV. Seeing nothing in sight - the other ice fisherman and his ATV were no longer in sight, either - Gilbert began running to the spot. When he stopped to catch his breath, he heard cries for help and saw the man in the water.

As he got closer to the gaping hole in the ice, Gilbert felt the ice buckling beneath him, and the floundering man told him it was dangerous, and asked if Gilbert had a piece of rope. Having none, Gilbert inched forward far enough to throw his sweatshirt toward the man, who was able to grasp the sleeve while Gilbert pulled him to safety.

Gilbert and Burnham helped the man, Larry Grimard of Jefferson, get to the nearby home of Gilbert's aunt, who was luckily at home at the time. She assisted in getting hot liquids into Grimard, and also dried his clothes for him.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was contacted to make them aware of the incident, as was warden Doug Kulis, to let him know the ATV was under water and would be removed just as soon as a diver could be obtained. Grimard also called his wife to let her know he was OK for fear she might hear about the incident before he arrived home.

Gilbert and Burnham then transported Grimard to his truck, and he headed home after numerous thank yous, which were followed by a telephone call Tuesday to Gilbert to express thanks for the rescue.