The phone buried in the ice works!
After eight weeks of waiting, an incredible twist to a frosty tale has thawed hearts at Willen Lake’s Willen On Ice rink. After a workman accidentally left his daughter’s phone on the rink’s metal framework, where it became encased in two inches of ice, the device has been retrieved, dried, and – against all odds – fully revived.
The workman, who wishes to remain anonymous, first discovered his blunder in early November when the phone was spotted frozen solid in the newly poured 800sqm ice rink. At the time, retrieval was deemed impossible without damaging the ice’s structural integrity.
After eight weeks of skating, festive fun, and thousands of visitors gliding over the phone, the ice finally melted during the rink’s closure for the season. The phone was extracted, dried in rice, and placed in a warm room before being plugged in late last night (Monday 6 January). To everyone’s astonishment, the charging symbol appeared, followed by the iconic Apple logo, and the phone powered on.
“My daughter was over the moon when I handed her phone back in full working order,” said the relieved father. “I’d promised to replace it if it didn’t survive, but I honestly didn’t expect this outcome. It’s a Christmas miracle – or maybe just incredible engineering!”
The story of the ‘frozen phone’ has been captured across the world and been seen over 10 million times on TikTok leaving many eager to know if it would work again – and it does!
“This just adds another layer to the memories made at Willen On Ice this season,” said Rob Cook, Director at Ice Leisure. “We’ve seen laughter, celebrations, and now an ice-entombed phone make a full comeback. We’re thrilled for the family – and perhaps a little surprised ourselves!”
Willen On Ice enjoyed its best season to date and closed its rink on Sunday 5 January. The popular regional destination will return for the festive season this year – with workers being more vigilant when setting the ice.
