OKOBOJI, Iowa (KCAU) — Fire and rescue officials in the Iowa Great Lakes area responded to two ATVs falling into the lakes Thursday night.

According to a Facebook release from Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue, they responded to two separate instances of ATVs going through the ice Thursday night. One incident occurred in the Pillsbury Point area and the second happened about an hour later on East Lake Okoboji.

According to the release, the first call came in at around 5:49 p.m. The original call said three or four people were in the water but upon arrival. officials learned there were five total victims. Thankfully, all were able to self-rescue and return to shore. All five were checked by local ambulance crews before two of them were taken to a local hospital for further care.

About an hour later at 6:48 p.m., crews received another report that an ATV had gone into the water and there were a couple of people who were in the water. When officials arrived they learned that a bystander named Kyle Peterson of Spirit Lake was able to help rescue the victims from the water by using his coat as a makeshift rope.

The group was able to meet up with officials and the two victims were able to be evaluated before being taken to a local hospital for further treatment.

“This year’s ice conditions are very strange, we have good clear ice in some areas and little to no ice in others,” Chief Christ Yungbluth said. “The areas with seams and open water are not only around the normal places we see it occur but also in areas that we don’t normally see open areas.”

Local bait shops are a good resource to learn more information about what areas of ice are and are not safe, officials said.

Officials recommend carrying a PFD, rope, and ice picks with you if you plan on going onto the ice. Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue encourages everyone to have a fun and safe Okoboji Winter Games weekend.

You can view photos of the ice on the Iowa Great Lakes in photos provided by the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue below.