Dad rescues his two children from frozen pond

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A Fort Wayne man and his two children went to a hospital after he rescued the kids from a frozen pond.

Indiana Conservation Officers said the near drowning happened around 1 p.m. Saturday in the 16000-block of Tonkel Road.

The officers said Samantha Buuck, 8, was walking behind her home when she ventured out onto the frozen pond. She fell through the ice and called for help. She was struggling to stay afloat. Her 12-year-old brother, Anthony, heard her calling for help and jumped into the water. He got to Samantha and started calling for help too.

The children's father, Dale Buuck, heard the calls from inside their home. He ran to help and also went into the icy water. He was able to push Samantha and Anthony into shallower water. The conservation officers said Anthony was then able to get himself and Samantha out of the water. Anthony started to perform CPR on his sister until Dale got out of the water and took over. Anthony then called 911.

It's estimated Samantha was under water for about two minutes. Paramedics transported Samantha to a hospital in critical condition. They were able to get her breathing back and she is expected to recover.

Anthony and Dale were treated at a hospital for hypothermia and cold-related injuries. Cedar Creek Fire and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority assisted the DNR at the scene.

Conservation officers want to remind everyone to be cautious when going out onto frozen lakes or ponds. In a news release, the DNR said, "With the recent rain and above freezing temperatures, ice conditions can become very unsafe very quickly.  A minimum of four inches of clear ice is recommended before ice fishing.  “Black” or cloudy ice, as well as ice with standing water should be avoided.  If venturing out on to the ice, Conservation Officers recommend wearing a life jacket."