Firefighters recently rescued a female victim from an icy pond in Britton Ridge neighborhood off Dillinger Lane. The victim called 911, stating her dog had fallen through the ice on the retention pond and couldn’t get out. The victim told the 911 operator she was going in after the dog in spite of demands not to by the operator.
When firefighters arrived, the female victim had fallen through the ice as well and was about 15 feet from shore. Initial rescue attempts were made with ropes. The victim was holding the dog and was having difficulty securing the rope. The victim was able to then get the dog onto the ice where it walked towards shore only to fall through the ice again. Rescuers were able to quickly reach the dog and pull it out. Without holding the dog, the victim was then able to take direction to secure the rope and be pulled out of the water.
The rescue took approximately five minutes. The victim signed a release for medical treatment and took her dog to a local veterinarian for checkout and observation.
While firefighters hope this has a happy ending, it brings a reminder of just how dangerous ponds are in this kind of weather. Even if it looks solid, it may not be. For central Indiana retentions ponds, you should never play on or near them. Stay off the ice and never sled towards them. If someone or an animal should fall through the ice, do not go in after them.
“Reach, Throw but Don’t Go!” Reach for them if they are close, throw them a rope or a flotation device but never go in after them. This cold water is debilitating and can make you a victim as well.
For more water and ice safety information, go to wikihow.com/Know-When-Ice-is-Safe.