What to Know
- A picture of people walking on the iced-over Central Park lake circulated Saturday.
- The FDNY released a video on Twitter the same day warning people about walking on frozen water.
- Only 2 years ago, others walking on the ice at Central Park fell through it.
A picture of people walking on the iced-over Central Park lake circulated Saturday, enraging New Yorkers and eliciting warnings from firefighters and the parks department.
The picture, posted to Twitter by @gigi_nyc, found its way to the New York City Reddit page and sparked anger from users.
“It hasn’t been cold enough/long enough for this,” said user patopeking. “What complete fools.”
Others recounted remembering past years, when those who ventured out on the ice fell through — one Redditor had even witnessed it.
The FDNY released a video on Twitter the same day warning people about walking on frozen water.
“By venturing onto frozen water, you risk not only your life, but the lives of first responders,” said paramedic Shlomo Winkler. “There is no such thing as safe ice.”
Local
The NYC Parks Commissioner implored visitors to stay off the ice, reminding the public that park water bodies that are assumed frozen this time of year often are not.
"No motter how beautiful the ice may look, it can be extremely dangerous," said Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. "Be smart: Don't risk your life for a selfie on the ice."
If for some reason you wind up on ice and you hear it cracking, you should lie down immediately to try to distribute your weight, the parks department says. If you witness someone falling through ice, call 911 immediately -- never try to attempt a rescue yourself.
