Princeton police are warning people to avoid ice skating in unauthorized locations after crews rescued an injured skater from a remote section of the Delaware & Raritan canal Tuesday night. 

The call came in just before 6 p.m., with dispatchers reporting a male on the ice, bleeding from the head. The section of the canal is located near Alexander Street, police said. "The injured skater was located in a remote section of the canal, presenting significant challenges for responding emergency personnel," Princeton police said in a social media post. "Crews were required to search and traverse nearly a mile of difficult terrain, including deep snow, ice, uneven ground, and darkness, to reach the individual." Crews from several agencies responded to assist the police department including local fire and EMS personnel as well as crews from West Windsor and New Jersey State Police. The department also launched drones in an effort to find the injured skater. Police say this incident should serve as a reminder of the dangers involved in skating in unsafe or unauthorized areas. "Ice skating on any non-authorized waterways is extremely dangerous and not permitted," Princeton police said. "Cold water emergencies can quickly become life-threatening." In addition to only skating in designated areas, police say you should never skate alone or in remote locations and never assume ice is safe to walk or skate on based on appearance.