Firefighters rescue woman and her dog from icy pond in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – The Springfield Fire Department Water Rescue team saved the lives of a Springfield woman and her small terrier dog on Sunday after they fell into an icy pond.

It happened around 11 a.m. at Lakeshore Apartments’ pond. Firefighters say the woman went after one of her two dogs, fearing the pup might drown when he fell through the ice. Captain Chris Gardner and equipment operator Tyler Nevins performed the rescue, with backup from the water rescue team members, who trained as recently as last week.

“Our teams use special equipment to safely work in this environment; without it, the risk to anyone entering the water is extreme,” Battalion Chief Christopher Roush said.

Out of an abundance of caution, the woman was transported to the shore, warmed up, and taken via ambulance to Mercy. Battalion Chief Roush said her core temperature was low, which happens very quickly in these conditions. Every year, 250 Americans die after falling into icy ponds, lakes, and streams, and rescuers have only moments to respond and bring victims to safety. Team members braved the cold this week to practice safely breaking through the ice and executing self-rescue and victim movement maneuvers.

After Friday’s snowstorm, the Springfield Fire Department told the public to stay off the ice.

“While at the surface, the ice appears solid and capable of supporting your weight, the reality is much different, and which could result in falling through the ice into very cold water,” Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington says. “This becomes a dangerous and very serious situation very quickly.”

• If you witness someone playing on or falling through ice, the fire department wants to remind you of a few essential actions you can take to help save a life.
• Call 911 to notify the water rescue team and respond promptly.
• If safe, maintain voice and visual contact with the victim. Encourage and assure the victim that help is on the way. Be prepared to assist in guiding responders to the location.
• Do not attempt rescue.

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