Father, 12-Year-Old Son Rescued After Falling Through Ice In Smithtown

NESCONSET, NY — A father and his 12-year-old son were rescued from icy water at Gibbs Pond on Saturday afternoon after falling through thin ice, according to local officials.

Nesconset Fire Department Chief Daniel Madden said crews were alerted to the incident at around 2 p.m. following a report of people trapped in the ice at the pond.

Madden said an off-duty FDNY Lieutenant John Fils-Aine and his son heard screams for help and called 911. Smithtown Park Ranger Leyland Crocilla, who was conducting a routine patrol in the area, was first on scene and observed the two victims — a father and his child — in the water after the ice gave way.

According to Madden, Crocilla communicated with the victims, who managed to crawl from the water onto the ice and toward a nearby dock. Crocilla and an off-duty EMS lieutenant then pulled the child from the water and onto the dock.

Firefighters arrived shortly afterward and used a portable ladder to reach the father, who was unable to get out on his own, Madden said. The ladder was placed into the water to allow rescuers to remove him from the ice safely.

Both victims were treated at the scene for hypothermia and transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in stable condition, Madden said. He said the pair were alert and oriented at the time of transport but appeared shaken by the incident.

“The courage and quick action demonstrated yesterday by Park Ranger Leyland Crocilla, our Department of Public Safety, the Nesconset Fire Department, and the Good Samaritans on scene, including off-duty FDNY Lt. John Fils-Aine, is nothing short of heroic," said Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim. "In the middle of a dangerous winter storm, these individuals put their own lives at risk to save a father and his young son. Their training, teamwork, and instinct under pressure prevented what would have been an unthinkable tragedy. On behalf of the Town of Smithtown, I extend our deepest gratitude to every responder and resident who answered the call without hesitation.”

Officials are urging residents to stay off frozen ponds and lakes, warning that ice conditions can change rapidly due to fluctuating winter temperatures. Even ice that appears thick may be unsafe, particularly during periods of warming and refreezing.