Frozen In Time: The Buick That Became a Minnesota Viral Sensation
Talk about making a splash—err, sink—in the world of social media! A lone 2008 Buick Lucerne, submerged in the icy depths of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, has turned into quite the attention grabber since it went viral. Local ice fishing group organizer Karl Erickson saw the potential for a meme goldmine when he started sharing pics and videos of the car, which has transformed into an unexpected hotspot for some local aquatic life. His clever ploy to raise awareness about ice safety and promote his nonprofit has definitely paid off, creating a whirlwind of memes and speculation online, with many wondering if a body was trapped inside. Spoiler alert: There’s no dead guy in the car—thankfully.
Erickson told the Minnesota Star Tribune that it all started when a resident took an unfortunate plunge through the ice on January 27, crashing his sedan into the lake. Deputies confirmed that the 41-year-old is racing against a 30-day deadline to fish it out, but who knew Minnesota winters could pose such logistical challenges? Meanwhile, despite the submerged car not being ideal for its owner, it is providing a safe haven for fish looking for a hideout from predators, much to the delight of local ice anglers.
In fact, last week, students from the Urban Ice Anglers group showcased their fishing prowess using the car as a base, drilling holes in the ice and reeling in some catches—now that’s what I call making lemonade out of lemons! Their Instagram posted a clip celebrating one lucky student catching a fish for the first time aboard the ill-fated Buick, showing that even a submerged vehicle can lend a hand to a good day out on the ice. It’s not often that vehicles become fishing spots, yet here we are!
Wintertime is notorious for wild ice conditions, and while ice fishing is a beloved sport in Minnesota, safety always comes first. Cmdr. Mike Servatka noted that getting stuck like this is unusual, but thankfully the situation usually resolves quicker than you might expect. So, while this Buick has certainly made a name for itself in the digital world, let’s hope it finds its way back above water soon!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Star Tribune, CBS News
