WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WOLF) — UPDATE 2/11/22:
Both boys have been pronounced dead as a result of the incident.
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According to Pennsylvania State Police, two brothers ages 4 and 5 were playing outside of a home on Monlio Road in West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, when they fell into an icy pond.
State Trooper David Beohm told FOX56 the children’s mother saw one boy floating on top the pond in the backyard.
"The family dog was out with the boys and the dog came to the house and was barking which drew her attention to go outside," Trooper Beohm said.
Trooper Beohm says the boys' mother was able to jump in and pull her 4-year-old son out of the water, while yelling for help. Neighbors came over to the pond and 911 was called.
Her 5-year-old son was not seen on the water.
The Schuylkill Haven Dive Team responded and located the 5-year-old under the water and performed CPR before the boy was flown to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The 4-year-old is currently being treated at a children’s hospital in Delaware. His condition is unknown.
Trooper Beohm explaining this tragedy has been deemed an accident.
"An accidental death, horrible horrible tragic accident," Beohm said.
State troopers, West Brunswick Fire, Deer Lake and Orwigsburg Fire Companies also assisted at the scene.
When crews arrived half of the pond was covered in ice.
At this time it's unknown how the boys ended up in the water.
The Schuylkill Haven Dive Team always encouraging safety when it comes to ice and water.
Assistant Chief Kyle Morgan explaining ice can be very misleading and does not form uniformly, especially when there are sudden rises and drops in temperature.
"When you look at a body of water one section can be up to 8 to 12 inches, while another section could only be two to three inches," Morgan said.
Morgan says some things to look out for before going onto ice are puddles, cracks and holes.
If someone does plan to go out on the ice the dive team says to make sure the ice is in a safe condition. Different activities like ice skating and ATV riding call for different regulations.
A special reminder to always make sure to have the proper protective equipment.
Life jackets, a rope to pull someone out and ice picks can help in an emergency situation.
"You can just pull them apart and use them to get out of the ice," Morgan said.
Rescue and safety crews always encouraging parent supervision when there is any body of water near by.
For more information on ice and water safety you can visit the PA Fish and Boat Commission website.
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