Three dead after plunging through ice on frozen lake during deadly winter storm

THREE people have died after plunging through ice while walking on a frozen lake during a deadly winter blizzard.

The fatal fall happened on the night after Christmas according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office near Payson, Arizona.

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A woman and two men were walking on the lake when they fell through the ice.

“Responding Deputies and Fire units were able to pull the female from the water and administer life-saving measures but were unsuccessful,” read a statement from the CCSO.

The bodies of the two men were recovered on Tuesday, December 27 after a brief search.

The men were identified as 49-year-old Narayana Muddana and 47-year-old Gokul Mediseti, according to the CCSO.

Haritha Muddana was the name of the female victim but her age is unknown at this time.

All three were originally from India but lived in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler.

A boat was used for an expansive search of the lake to find the men, said authorities.

Diving and water rescue teams from several agencies also joined in the search.

“This incident remains under investigation,” said the CCSO in a statement.

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