Lucas Hanson was "hanging out" by the river with friend Zack Lunney when a large chunk of ice broke free from the bank.

"A bunch of beer cans went by and knocked it loose," Lunney said. "I probably never laughed harder."

Hanson kept his composure as the ice drifted about 100 feet down the river. Fairbanks firefighters responded and threw a rope out to the teen as the ice floe neared a bend in the river, but the teen ignored the rope, jumping to another chunk of ice lodged against the bank.

But Hanson's calm was broken when he tried to step to shore and stepped on a loose patch of ice instead, plunging into the 33-degree water up to his waist.

Fairbanks Fire Capt. Keith Berrian was there to grab Hanson's hand and pull the teen onto land.

He was unharmed, refused medical attention, and seemed surprised at the five rescue vehicles and two police cars that responded to the emergency.

"Is all this for me?" he asked. "I didn't mean to bother anybody."

- Fairbanks Daily News-Miner