LOUISVILLE - A Waddington man escaped injury after the truck he was driving fell through ice on the St. Lawrence River just off the causeway near Wilson Hill.

State police said the 1995 Chevrolet pickup driven by Timothy P. Martin, 53, of 175 McGinnis Road, fell through the ice shortly after 3 p.m. Monday.

Troopers said Mr. Martin, who was in the truck by himself, told them he was going out to check ice conditions when the front end of his truck fell through.

After freeing himself from his vehicle and walking to shore, Mr. Martin said he was surprised that his truck fell through.

“I’m really shocked that it was that thin,” he said. “It went from 12 inches down to four really fast.”

Mr. Martin said 12 inches of ice is considered safe to drive on.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years,” he said, adding he was scouting the ice with plans to bring his camper out this weekend.

“I guess I can’t do that,” he said.

He surmised that stiff winds over the weekend must have broken up the ice.

Mr. Martin said he was never fearful for his life.

“I knew how shallow the water was, so I wasn’t worried,” he said.

After the front of his truck fell through, Mr. Martin said he opened his window and was able to escape easily.

“My front end went through then I opening my window and got my butt out of there,” he said. “I watched my truck sink.”

Both state Department of Environmental Conservation police and troopers said no tickets were expected to be issued. Mr. Martin said he would return to pull the truck out of the river today.

“We’ve done this before,” Mr. Martin said.

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