Woman and Dogs Rescued from Icy Pond in Springfield’s First Ice Rescue

A woman and her two dogs were rescued from an icy pond in Springfield within 30 minutes after a dramatic incident during a winter walk

Woman and Dogs Rescued from Icy Pond in Springfield’s First Ice Rescue
Woman and Dogs Rescued from Icy Pond in Springfield’s First Ice Rescue

Springfield: Last Sunday, Holly Hesse, a retired softball coach, took her dogs for a walk at Lakeshore Apartments. It was a chilly day, and she let her pups roam free. But things took a turn when they spotted some ducks on the icy pond and jumped in after them.

While one dog, Reba, managed to climb out, little Bailey, the Yorkie, struggled. Holly knew she had to help Bailey, even though it was risky. She jumped onto the ice but fell in herself.

Holly managed to grab Bailey but felt the ice cracking beneath her as she tried to get back. Soaked and cold, she called 911 and stayed calm, lying back in the water while keeping her head and legs out.

Firefighters quickly arrived, led by Chief Ben Houston. They had trained for this kind of rescue just the week before. Captain Chris Gardner and Tyler Nevins were among those who helped pull Holly and her dogs to safety after about 30 minutes in the freezing water.

Holly was taken to the hospital to warm up but thankfully, she and her dogs were okay. She expressed her gratitude to the first responders, saying it was a team effort that saved them all.

Reflecting on the incident, Holly admitted she made some mistakes but also did the right things to ensure their survival. She later reunited with her rescuers to thank them for their bravery.

The fire department reminded everyone that ice can be deceptive and dangerous. If you see someone in trouble on the ice, it’s best to call for help instead of trying to rescue them yourself.

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