Iowa man puts his snowmobile into the ice on Clear Lake, hospitalized with possible hypothermia

CLEAR LAKE – An Iowa man put his snowmobile into the ice on Clear Lake, and was later hospitalized with possible hypothermia after pulling himself free from the icy depths.

At about 6:55 PM on February 23, the Clear Lake Police Department received a call about a vehicle possibly in the water on Clear Lake. Cerro Gordo County Deputies responded, along with the Clear Lake Fire Department, Clear Lake Police Department, Ventura Fire Department, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Firefighters searched the area on Clear Lake near the aerator open water system, near downtown City Park. During the search, Deputies were notified of a missing snowmobiler who was unfamiliar with the lake. During the search, the driver of the snowmobile was able to rescue himself and get to shore. The driver of the snowmobile, David Robert Mapes, age 38  of Urbandale, Iowa, was picked up and transported to a residence. Clear Lake paramedics responded and evaluated Mapes, and then transported him to Mercy One North Iowa Medical Center for possible hypothermia. Mapes had no other injuries as a result of the accident.

The snowmobile remains in the lake at this time until arrangements can be made to have it removed.

The Iowa DNR is continuing the investigation into the accident.