A tragic incident took place at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland over the weekend when a side-by-side vehicle carrying two men broke through the ice, leading to the death of a Westmoreland County resident. According to WTAE, the accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. last Saturday and claimed the life of 58-year-old David T. Linsenbigler of Greensburg.
Linsenbigler was found submerged in the side-by-side vehicle and was later pronounced dead after being transported to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. The other occupant, a 59-year-old man who was driving the off-road vehicle, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Maryland Natural Resources Police have issued a reminder in light of this event, "We remind individuals to use extreme caution when operating on the frozen lake surface within the Deep Creek Lake Natural Resources Management Area," public information officer Vincent Dortenzo said in a statement detailed by WTAE.
In a separate report by WPXI, the Maryland Natural Resources Police clarified that registered snowmobiles, not UTVs/ATVs like the one involved in the incident, may use the lake surface. The agency emphasized proper assessment of ice conditions, "especially in the area of bridge crossings where road salt and other debris can cause fluctuations in ice thickness," a spokesperson said.
The incident has prompted a call for public assistance. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the authorities at 410-260-8888.
