2 Iqaluit hunters safe after snowmobile breaks through ice

Two Iqaluit men are lucky to be alive after their snowmobile and qamutik, a traditional Inuit sled,broke through the ice and sank early Monday morning.

Joseph Monteith andKelly Akpaleapik,both in their 30s, were hunting on Frobisher Bay approximately 50 kilometressouth of Iqaluit when the incident took place.

"We know both men went through the ice into water,"JimmyAkavak, chair ofIqaluit'ssearch and rescue, said inInuktitut.

"They lost everything that they had.Their snowmobile, all of their supplies."

Akavaksays a search started after theirSPOT device failed to send more updates after 3:39a.m.

The men were found on a nearbypolynyalate Monday morning and weremedevacedby helicopter to theQikiqtaniGeneral Hospital inIqaluit. One of themis being treated for mild to severe hypothermia, according toAkavak.

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Akavaksays what saved the men was the fact that other peoplewere aware of their plans and quicklyalerted the authorities.

"We are grateful for the quick response of the concerned members," said Akavak.

He said even experienced hunters familiar with the terrain should be on high alert.

"This time of the year, everywhere is dangerous," said Akavak."The conditions out there change so frequently."