A Bobcat driver has died after the machine he was operating broke through ice and was submerged in water for nearly seven hours Friday afternoon near Prince Albert.

The RCMP have identified the man as James Dietrich.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 1:40 p.m. CST where the man had become trapped in the Bobcat.

According to police, the operator was clearing snow around a radio transmitter tower when the Bobcat fell through the ice.

Fire crews tried to crawl into the water to see if they could get to the door of the Bobcat, but were unable to reach it.

Two large tow trucks were called to the scene and were able to pull the snow removal machine out of the water.

After nearly seven hours, the man's body was removed from the Bobcat.