An iPhone that was accidentally frozen for two months under a temporary ice rink in Milton Keynes has been successfully recovered.
A video went viral on social media in early November when an unidentified workman unintentionally left an iPhone belonging to his daughter in place before water and ice were layered over the top of the structure at a the Willen On Ice temporary rink at Willen Lake in Milton Keynes, with the phone’s bright pink case becoming visible through the ice when the rink was finished.
The phone was kept in place over the 8 weeks that the Willen facility was in place, with the organisers saying attempts to recover it prematurely could affect the structure of the whole rink.
With the rink taken down this week, the device was retrieved, dried, and – against all odds – fully revived.
The phone was extracted from its position, dried in rice, and placed in a warm room before being plugged in late last night (Monday 6 January). When the phone was charged up, the charging symbol appeared, followed by the Apple logo, and finally 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’ was documented in a clip that has since been seen over 10 million times on TikTok, with the story picked up by other social media platforms and national news media.
“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 closed its rink on Sunday 5 January, with the organisers confirming the popular regional destination will return for the festive season this year – with workers being more vigilant when setting the ice.