Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 27/98) - No one has come forward to claim a small pickup truck that went through the ice on Prosperous Lake close to a month ago.

The owner of the vehicle has yet to tracked down, according to Dan Elliott, south Mackenzie district manager with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. He added that the owner will be responsible for the costs involved with recovery, although he couldn't provide an estimate for its removal.

"We're placing inquiries right now (to) get a hold of the person and find out what his plans are," Elliott said.

The pickup is completely submerged and Elliott said he has heard it hasn't posed an obstacle to boats that have passed over it.

"So, to my knowledge, it's not interfering with navigation," he said.

DIAND only became aware of the vehicle a week ago, said Elliott. Since it doesn't appear to be leaking any fluids, there is no urgency in recovering it, he said.

"It's not an environmental hazard as far as I'm aware of," he said. "As far as I've been told, by people who have driven by there by boat, there's no noticeable sheen or anything like that."

Elliott said it's rare for a vehicle to sink to the bottom of a lake.

"There's usually a wheel that goes through or an axle goes through," he said.

"They don't necessarily get reported to us if there's no spillage. Most of the time I would think they're recovered because that's the guy's vehicle."