Dozens of cars that fell through ice in Lake Geneva Saturday are all out of the water now, but the ordeal isn't over for the owners of those cars.
- PHOTO GALLERY: Cars Fall Through Ice at Winterfest
Up to 15 cars parked on the ice at Winterfest began to submerge in the lake at around 2 p.m. Parking is scarce in the area and cars were allowed to park on the ice.
Some of the drivers are from Illinois and are now relying on family and friends to get around.
Bryan Niermeyer’s silver Volvo was just one of 15 cars that took the plunge.
“It was partially submerged,” Niermeyer said. Police wouldn't let us near it. We could've backed it out in 20 minutes, but they wouldn't let us near it."
It took all night for crews to pry all of the vehicles from the lake's icy grasp.
"They’re not going to get their cars,” said Mark McClellan of Larry’s Towing. “They're going to have to get their belongings, and then insurance is going to take over. None of these cars are salvageable. Once they are submerged, they are non-fixable."
McClellan is operating on three hours' sleep. Ten cars sit in his lot, nine of which he says were flooded up to the roof.
"You take a deep breath and kind of sit in the wrecker for a minute and figure out your plan of attack,” McClellan said.
Niermeyer and his wife sifted through the vehicle for anything they could salvage. Yesterday happened to be their 33rd wedding anniversary.
"Worst anniversary ever!" Niermeyer said.
But amid the waterlogged debris and disappointment, he found one item to brighten his wife's day — her anniversary card.
Police say it's not against the law to park on the ice. While it poses a big risk, no one will be getting a ticket.
