VILLAS – Just before 5:30 p.m. Feb. 2, Stations 60 and 61 were dispatched to Ponderlodge Lake for a water rescue assignment.
Upon arrival of Chief 61, he reported there was a victim that had fallen through the ice and ended up on the island in the middle of the lake.
Two rescue swimmers were suited up and proceeded to the victim. Once the victim was placed on a rescue board, both were pulled back to shore and the victim was transferred to emergency medical service for further evaluation.
Units responding included Squad 60, Utility 60, Brush 60, Dive Unit 61, Utility 61. Quint 60 also responded with additional manpower.
A reminder: ice is not always as thick as it seems. Use caution so as not end up a victim.
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The following release was received from Lower Township Police Department Feb. 5:
On Feb. 2, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Lower Township Police responded to a call at the Cox Hall Creek Wildlife Management area for a report that two juveniles had fallen through the ice and into the water.
One juvenile was able to make it back to land, while the other was able to make it to the center island in the lake.
Patrol Officers Hegarty, Saini, Scheid and Trunfio were first to arrive on scene.
Villas and Town Bank Fire Departments, as well as Lower Township EMS arrived on scene moments later.
Two fire department rescue swimmers were able to recover the stranded juvenile from the island, back to land and then both were medically evaluated by Lower Township Rescue.
One juvenile was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.
Parents were notified of the incident by the Police Department.
Please let this serve as a reminder that it is not safe to walk on ice, as it may not be as stable as it may appear.
Lower Township – Who are these people that are obvious experts on trash cans and leaf pick-up? Maybe they don't have any trash to put out or leaves in their yard!!
