PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind –  A man that went through the ice on Heritage Lake in Putnam County while driving his off road vehicle (ORV) has been recovered.

48-year-old Brett Crowder of Coatsville was operating his side by side ORV on the ice covering Heritage Lake when he and another rider both broke through the ice.  The other operator was able to get out of the lake and off the ice without assistance. Divers were able to locate Crowder in approximately 30 feet of water.  The ice surrounding the area where the ORV broke through was approximately two inches thick.

The Putnam County Coroner pronounced Crowder dead at the scene.

The ORV’s will be recovered at a later date.

Police ask you to remember that no ice is safe ice.  It is recommended to have four inches of clear ice before walking on it, and five to six inches before operating an ORV or snowmobile.

Warmer temperatures forecasted for the state this week will make for unsafe ice in many locations.