Ice fatality statistics 1976-2024

Preliminary numbers as of 04/24/2024.

Fatalities by winter season

There have been a total of 269 ice-related fatalities in Minnesota since January of 1976. The table below lists the number of fatalities by winter season (November through April), apart from the first season which is only January through April 1976 because we do not have data from 1975.

Ice Fatality Statistics

Danger sign near a hole in the ice
 
 
 

Winter Seasons

Number of Fatalities

 

Winter
Seasons

Number of
Fatalities

 

Winter
Seasons

Number of
Fatalities

 

Winter
Seasons

Number of
Fatalities

Average number of deaths per winter season

 
 

Number of Seasons

Years

Average Deaths Per Season

Number of deaths per mode of travel

 
 
 
 

January 1976 - April 2024

November 2019 – April 2024

Mode of Travel

Number of Deaths

% of Total Deaths

Number of Deaths

% of Total Deaths

Total

269

100%

15

100%

Fatalities by victim's age

 
   

Age range (years)

Number of victims

% of victims

Total

269

100%

 
   

Age range (years)

Number of victims

% of victims

Total

15

100%

Ice-related fatalities: January 1976 – April 2024 (by calendar year)

The table below includes key information about every ice-related fatality in Minnesota beginning in January 1976. Although it is commonly misunderstood, research shows that most through-the-ice fatalities are due to drowning – not hypothermia. Since 1976, there have been 269 ice-related fatalities, and only 5 have been a result of hypothermia (noted below under “accident type”).

 
Date County Waterbody Age Accident Type

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