It was just after 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday in January when the quiet of Chase Island Road was shattered by a sound no one ever wants to hear. Screams. Specifically, someone yelling for help from the dark, frozen expanse of Big Island Pond.
By the time the sun came up the next day, the community of Atkinson and the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, were grappling with a profound loss. Emer Mezzetti, a 56-year-old resident of Atkinson and a long-time public servant, had fallen through the ice.
She didn't make it out.
Honestly, it’s the kind of story that stops you in your tracks because it feels so preventable, yet so inevitable given the treacherous nature of New England winters. Emer wasn't some reckless daredevil. She was a woman who loved the outdoors, a regular walker who knew the area, and someone who—by all accounts—was doing everything "right" that evening. She was even wearing proper winter gear. But as the investigation later revealed, she ran into a silent, invisible killer that even experienced locals might not have spotted.
The Tragedy of Emer Mezzetti in Atkinson, NH
The details of that weekend in January 2025 are harrowing. Emer Mezzetti was walking on the ice of Big Island Pond, a massive 532-acre body of water that touches Atkinson, Hampstead, and Derry. It's a popular spot for locals, but that night, the ice was deceptive.
While much of the pond might have looked solid, Emer happened to step onto a section weakened by a "bubbler" effect.
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Lieutenant Adam Cheney from New Hampshire Fish and Game explained it later to reporters. Basically, there are hidden springs under the surface of Big Island Pond. These springs act like natural aerators. They push warmer water upward, preventing thick ice from forming even when the air temperature is well below freezing.
From the surface? It looks just like the rest of the pond.
A Massive Rescue Effort
When the calls for help first hit the dispatchers, the response was immediate and intense. We’re talking about a multi-jurisdictional effort. First responders from Atkinson, Hampstead, Salem, Derry, and Plaistow all rushed to the scene.
It wasn't easy.
The conditions were brutal. One Atkinson firefighter was actually injured during the initial rescue attempt and had to be transported to a hospital. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't find her in the dark. The search had to be suspended until daylight for the safety of the divers.
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The next morning, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dive Team took over. It didn't take them long once they were in the water—only about 18 minutes. They found Emer in 16 feet of water, about 30 yards away from the shoreline near Osprey Road in Hampstead.
Who Was Emer Mezzetti?
Beyond the headlines of the accident, Emer Mezzetti was a fixture in the local professional community. She worked as a Payroll Systems Analyst in the City Auditor’s office for the City of Lowell. To her colleagues, she wasn't just a name on an email; she was the person who kept the gears turning, ensuring everyone got paid and the systems stayed functional.
She had deep roots in the region. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she moved to Newton, Massachusetts, as a child before eventually settling in Atkinson.
Her family described her as a "bright light." She was a mother, a grandmother (lovingly known as "Mimi"), and someone who lived for the outdoors. Whether it was kayaking, hiking, or swimming, she was usually the one dragging everyone else along for the adventure.
It's a bitter irony that the nature she loved so much ended up being the setting for her passing.
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The Science of "Ice Springs" and Why They Matter
You've probably heard the old "four inches for safety" rule for ice. But the Emer Mezzetti case proves that rules of thumb can be dangerous.
- Hidden Springs: These are common in New Hampshire glacial ponds. They create "thin spots" that never truly freeze.
- The 6-Inch Recommendation: Following this incident, Fish and Game officials doubled down on their warnings, suggesting that while 4 inches might support a person, 6 inches of "blue ice" is much safer.
- Structure Weakness: Ice is almost always weaker near docks, bridges, and shorelines where the ground retains heat.
What Most People Get Wrong About Ice Safety
People often think if they can see others out on the ice, it must be safe. On the day Emer’s body was recovered, officials actually saw other people out on the pond nearby. It’s a classic case of survivor bias. Just because the ice held for one person doesn't mean it will hold ten feet to the left.
The New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol has been very vocal about this: ice conditions change daily. A warm afternoon or a shift in the current underneath can turn a safe path into a trap in a matter of hours.
Actionable Safety Steps for Big Island Pond Locals
If you live in the Atkinson area or frequent Big Island Pond, there are specific things you can do to avoid a similar tragedy.
- Carry Ice Picks: These are small, handheld spikes connected by a cord. If you fall in, you can use them to grip the slippery edge of the ice and pull yourself out. Without them, your hands will just slide off the wet surface.
- Wear a Flotation Suit: If you’re a regular winter walker, look into "float coats" or ice fishing suits with built-in buoyancy.
- The "Kick and Roll" Method: If the unthinkable happens, don't try to climb straight up. Swim back to the direction you came from (the ice there held you once). Put your arms on the edge, kick your legs hard to get your body horizontal, and roll away from the hole.
- Know the Springs: Ask long-time residents where the springs are. On Big Island Pond, the areas around the islands and specific coves are notorious for thin ice.
The loss of Emer Mezzetti in Atkinson, NH, serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly a routine walk can turn into a crisis. Her life was defined by service to her city and love for her family; her passing has left a void in two states, reminding us all to never take the winter landscape for granted.
Next Steps for Residents:
- Check the New Hampshire Fish and Game website for daily ice thickness reports and safety advisories before heading out on any local water body.
- Invest in a pair of wearable ice safety picks (usually under $15) if you plan to walk near frozen ponds.
- Review the "Cold Water Safety" guidelines provided by the National Center for Cold Water Safety to understand how quickly hypothermia and incapacitation occur.