(WWJ) — A Hungry Howie's corporate driver along with two citizens and first responders are all being credited with rescuing a 12-year-old Dundee boy after he fell through a frozen pond in Monroe County on Tuesday morning.
Dundee Deputy Police Chief Randy Sehl told WWJ's Jon Hewitt that officers and fire fighters were dispatched to what locals call "Cabella's Pond", located behind the popular hunting, fishing, and camping supply outlet at 110 East Cabela Drive after receiving a 911 call.
A truck driver for Hungry Howie's told dispatchers that they heard someone screaming for help -- before spotting someone struggling in the water.
"Emergency crews began arriving within three minutes and observed a subject, later identified as a 12-year-old Dundee boy, in the middle of the pond struggling to stay afloat in the 20 feet water," Sehl said.
A Dundee commercial motor vehicle, identified as Officer Joe Shoemaker, then arrived at the scene, grabbed a personal flotation equipment and began to make his way out to the victim, but he, too, fell through the ice.
"Officer Shoemaker was joined by two citizens... who happened to see what was going on," the deputy chief explained. "They helped from the ice with a line to help bring both the victim and the officer back to shore."
The boy was treated at the scene and later taken to Toledo Hospital for medical care. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Officer Shoemaker was also treated on scene and returned to duty.
The Monroe County Sheriff's office, Michigan State Police and the MCA ambulance service also assisted at the scene.
The pond, which sits on Cabela's property, is small and used mainly to give customers fishing lessons, Sehl said. While there are posted signs to stay off the water, they're unsure why the child was out on the ice.
"These varying temperatures have a great effect on ice and stability, so we remind everyone to use extreme caution and stay off the ice if there's any doubt," the deputy chief added.
Sehl estimated temperatures in the water to be subfreezing, stating the boy was fortunate that someone noticed him in distress so quickly.
"And number two, that rescuers got there in the nick of time."