Man, Dog Rescued After Falling Through Ice On Lake Mohegan

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 24-year-old man suffered severe hypothermia Sunday afternoon when he tried to rescue his dog and fell through the ice on Lake Mohegan. Three people pulled the man and dog from the icy water. A total of four people were taken to the hospital and the dog was not injured, police and fire officials said.

It all began 4:06 p.m. Sunday when 911 received a call about a man trying to rescue his dog on Lake Mohegan. The man, who had walked about 25 feet onto the frozen lake after the animal fell through the ice, was in trouble and three others came to the aid of the man and dog.

"The dog owner was extricated by hand via rescue basket by fire, Police, and Ambulance personnel ... He was responsive but confused," Fairfield fire officials said in a Facebook post. "... The dog was looked at on scene by the animal control officer and determined to be fine."

The 24-year-old suffered severe hypothermia and was unable to walk immediately after the incident, according to a fire department news release. The three people who tried to save the man — two men and a woman — all suffered minor signs of hypothermia and are in stable condition at Bridgeport Hospital, as is the dog owner.

"The coordinated effort between Fairfield Police and Fire personnel, along with the brave actions of three heroic civilians who risked their own lives, resulted in a positive outcome for all involved," Fairfield police said in a Facebook post.

The fire department reminds residents that if they see a pet or other animal in distress on the ice, they should not go after it and should instead call 911.

“Ice less than 4 inches thick can be extremely dangerous,” Assistant Chief Roger Caisse said in the news release. “Hypothermia happens very quickly when the body is submerged in icy water, and can render your muscles useless when trying to escape.”