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Second body found after snowmobile fell through ice on Rock River

JEFFERSON (AP)—The body of the second victim of a weekend accident in which a snowmobile fell through ice on the Rock River was recovered Monday, authorities said.

The body of Gerard Debaets, 40, of Watertown, was found Monday in the river in the town of Aztalan. Wendy Heiman, 36, of Watertown, was pulled from the river Saturday evening and pronounced dead at Watertown Memorial Hospital.

The Johnson Creek Fire Department said a third snowmobile operator, Brian Nimm, 39, of Watertown, also was at the scene.

"We have been able to learn that three individuals on three machines were riding south on the Rock River. Nimm broke through the ice initially and his vehicle sank," state Department of Natural Resources warden David Walz said.

"He got out of the water, and the others stopped, of course. Gerard and Wendy got on the same machine and they wanted to get (Nimm) out of the cold. But instead of getting off the ice, they continued south to a location where the river bank wasn't so steep. They traveled another 250 to 300 yards and Wendy and Gerard broke through."

Sheriff's deputies, DNR wardens and emergency personnel from a number of agencies responded to the scene. An unsuccessful search for Debaets' body had been conducted Sunday, authorities said.

"It seems like every year, somebody, somewhere in the state, dies riding on ice early in the season," Walz said.