An 11-year-old New York City boy died Tuesday afternoon after saving a friend who fell into an icy pond in Queens.
Anthony Perez and a 12-year-old friend walked out about 50 feet onto the ice when it cracked and Perez’s friend plunged into the frigid water around 4 p.m., officials said.
Perez saved his friend, pulling him from the icy water, then fell in himself, police said. His friend rushed home and told his mother to call 911, according to KTLA sister WPIX in New York.
Firefighters were on scene within four minutes of receiving the call, but Perez was submerged under the water by the time rescuers rushed to the pond.
Crews had to break the ice and get into the water to pull the boy out, using their hands to do so.
Perez was unconscious and unresponsive when he was removed from the pond. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced dead.
“We implore parents – make sure your kids know the ice in the city of New York, on these lakes and ponds, is not safe,” FDNY Deputy Chief George Healy said. “It won’t support your weight. ”
Two firefighters were are being treated at the hospital for hypothermia.
