Rankin Inlet man dies after ATV falls through lake ice

A view from the Meliadine road outside of Rankin Inlet. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

A 27-year-old Rankin Inlet man died Oct. 18 after the all-terrain vehicle he was riding fell through ice on a lake not far from the Kivalliq community.

Nunavut RCMP spokesperson Yvonne Niego said a group of four hunters was about 30 kilometres outside of Rankin Inlet Oct. 18 when the ice underneath the group started to give way.

Two men riding on the same ATV were submerged; one rider survived with only mild hypothermia.

The other, Kook Aliyak, died at the scene.

Rest in peace to my friend kook. He was my few only buddies in rankin. I will tell great and funny stories of you.

— Daniel Alagalak (@DanielAlagalak) October 19, 2014

Niego said the RCMP have not been notified of other deaths caused by Nunavummiut falling through the ice so far this season.

But with changes to the North’s climate and also hunter dynamics, Niego said police see more climate-related accidents out on the land.

The RCMP advises communities to create a notification system to warn hunters about local ice conditions.

In Rankin Inlet, the hamlet office issues notices about the ice condition of local lakes and ponds, like Williamson Lake in the centre of the community.

But the hamlet does not issue notices for bodies of water outside the community.