TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Around 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday, a 9-year-old boy fell through the ice of a pond at the Willow Crossings apartment complex.
Luckily, he was pulled out of the water by a bystander and Honey Creek Fire Department officials said that was a lifesaving act. This situation and another report of a dog falling through the ice has department leaders like Battalion Chief and Public Information Officer Josh Sittler concerned.
“A lot of our ponds have fountains in them,” said Sittler. “Those fountains may still be running even if you don’t notice them, they are still running and circulating water so the water cannot freeze completely. You are not getting that full 4 inches of thickness where it would be considered safe.”
Sittler said ff someone falls in, bystanders can help but need to be cautious.
“Reach, throw, or go is what we look and what we do, ” said Sittler. “If we can reach them, we are going to try and pull them out. If we can throw them a rope or anything they can hold on to, again, that is what we are going to do.”
He added that people who are headed to the ice should make sure others know their plans.
“Let someone know where you have been or where you are going, water body of water you are going to be on, and how long so if you do not return, they will have an area to start looking,” said Sittler.
The boy in the incident was taken to a local hospital, treated and has now been released. The dog was rescued as well.
