HILLSBORO, Ohio – A 16-year-old girl saved her brother’s life Tuesday night after the couple fell through the ice of Rocky Fork Lake east of Cincinnati, Ohio. Tragically, emergencies could not save hair.
The 13-year-old boy froze and called for help when a construction worker found him around 6:30 p.m. EST, according to Lieutenant Branden Jackman of the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District.
His department responded, flanked by crews from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and diving teams trained to carry out rescues under ice.
They tracked down the girl’s body around 11 p.m. EST, Jackman said.
The boy was hospitalized with hypothermia at Highland District Hospital.
“It seems she took him out before she conceded,” Jackman said. ‘Do not go out on the ice. It caused a very bad tragedy last night. ”
The girl’s identity was not yet made public on Wednesday night. Jackman said the tragedy should remind people not to risk their lives by walking on frozen bodies of water.
“You look at water and you think, ‘Oh, it’s just water,'” he said. “Thirty-six degrees of water is no different from a three-story house fire. They will kill you both just as quickly. ‘
According to department spokeswoman Stephanie O’Grady, Jason Lagore, a medical emergency at the scene, had a serious emergency at the scene.
Initial reactions transported Lagore to Highland District Hospital, but he was unable to return to life. Lagore worked for the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio for 15 years and was known for his expertise with K-9s.
READ ABOUT HIM: ODNR officer who died at drowning scene was a K-9 expert, 15-year veteran
The sheriff of Highland County is assisting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources with the investigation into the incident.
This story was originally published by Abby Dawn at WCPO.