On Tuesday, the 17-year-old was on a fishing trip with six friends to Fjellvannet in Skien. He walked alone along the shore of the lake to find a good fishing spot, when things were going wrong. – I slipped into the mud. When I got up, I started to sink, says Andreas Oredalen Gonsholt (17). Gonsholt has cerebral palsy and points out that he has a slightly poor balance. Therefore, he approached the water to avoid tripping over large rocks. – If I had ended up with my upper body down, I do not know if I would have been here today, he says. The case is also discussed in TA and Varden. WATER TO LIFE: Andreas shows the place where he got stuck. Photo: Private Lost the feeling in the legs – It was cold, the water was 4-5 degrees. I got cramps and lost the feeling in my legs, says Gonsholt. The 17-year-old with the cold body, fortunately also had a cold head. He tried to call 113 twice, but the coverage was poor. On the second attempt, he got through, and the police were able to track down his mobile phone. While the 17-year-old was waiting for rescue crews, the comrades tried to tear him loose without success. He was stuck standing, one meter from land for three quarters of an hour, before help arrived. – Be aware of the terrain you walk in, and do not walk alone, the hobby fisherman encourages. CAUTION: Andreas asks people to pay attention to lakes drained of water. Photo: Private – Fish from land or boat The Hunters’ and Fishermen’s Association asks fishermen to fish from land or from a boat if they are not safe on the bottom conditions. – There are no fish worth dying for, says sport fishing consultant Sondre Breian. In Norway, many lakes and rivers have lower water levels than normal. Poor bottom conditions In areas where there is water for large parts of the year, fine particles such as sand and clay settle. – These are bottom conditions that are not ideal for wading or fishing, says Breian. – Be aware of vegetation. If there are lilies, there is often a soft bottom nearby, he says. Regional Secretary Bjørn Erik Lauritzen, of the Norwegian Hunters’ and Fishermen’s Association Telemark, says that situations like this occur very rarely. – It can look very nice to move out on dry beaches and banks in these lakes. It may be dry on the surface, but damp underneath so that one can walk through. Bjørn Erik Lauritzen, regional secretary of NJFF Telemark, says you have to be extra careful about where you step on regulated water. Photo: private Not scared In the helicopter on the way to the hospital, the 17-year-old felt warmer body. – I will not stop what I like to do, because I was unlucky. It could have happened to everyone who was there, says Gonsholt. Technical manager Roger Johnsen in Løvenskiold-Fossum, who uses the water in the lake for power production, tells news that the water level is at a record low. – We are in an extreme situation. This is the second year of drought, says Johnsen. After 14 years in the industry, he has not experienced anything like this. – We have stopped production and are waiting for the rain, he says.
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Asks fishermen to be aware of swamps by drained water – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
