On January 27, a deer became trapped on the icy surface of Loon Lake in Stevens County, Washington, prompting a local resident, Daniel Polishuk, to call for help as he witnessed the animal slipping and struggling to stand. The deer repeatedly attempted to get up, but the slippery ice prevented it from regaining its footing, leaving it in a perilous situation. Recognizing that the deer would not be able to extricate itself, Polishuk contacted the Stevens County Fire Department for assistance.

Firefighters arrived on the scene equipped with rescue gear. Firefighter Gavin Galegher, along with his team, reached the deer using a stretcher and rope. As they approached, the frightened deer attempted to escape but was unable to stand due to the slippery ice, complicating the rescue effort. Galegher took a somewhat unconventional approach by laying on the ice to secure the deer rather than solely relying on the stretcher.

Using a lasso technique, Galegher managed to get a rope around the deer to secure it for rescue. The firefighters were able to execute the rescue after overcoming the significant challenges posed by the icy conditions, ultimately saving the distressed animal. This incident highlights the dedication of local emergency responders and the challenges they face during rescue operations, particularly in adverse weather conditions.