NORTON - A man ice-fishing slipped on a snow-covered lake Saturday morning and was knocked unconscious, fire officials said.

He was taken to Morton Hospital in Taunton for treatment of a bruise on the back of his head.

Firefighters said they were called to Lake Winnecunnet off King Philip Road for an ice fisherman that slipped, fell and struck his head about 25 to 30 yards offshore at 11:56 a.m., Saturday, during an ice-fishing derby sponsored by the Taunton Rod and Gun Club.

The unidentified man from Bridgewater had been unconscious for a period of time, and was beginning to wake up when fire crews arrived. Other fishermen with ice cleats on their boots helped firefighters walk on and off the lake, which had a fresh covering of snow from a squall earlier in the morning.

- STU SKERKER