FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Two Fairbanks residents plunged through thin ice on the Chena River in separate incidents on Sunday, but Alaska State Troopers say both managed to escape the frigid water without serious injury.

Just before 1 a.m., Frank Therrell, 60, broke through the ice while riding his snowmachine down the river near Brigham Way.

University Fire Department Battalion Chief Greg Coon said Therrell hit a stump or the riverbank while trying to avoid a patch of open water. The collision ended up throwing the man into the water, and authorities responded when a neighbor heard his cries for help.

Coon said Therrell spent at least 10 minutes in the water, but was able to pull himself out when troopers threw him a rope. He said it was “amazing” that the man lasted that long without drowning or becoming hypothermic.

“Most people in the water that long don't have the strength to get out themselves,” he said.

AST spokeswoman Megan Peters said Therrell was taken by ambulance to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, but wasn't badly injured.

Troopers also responded to a report that a truck had gone through the ice near the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge at about 9:30 a.m.

Peters said Jaime Wicken, 40, went through while driving a three-quarter ton Dodge pickup across the Chena. By the time authorities arrived 8 minutes later, Peters said Wicken was out of the river and doing fine.

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