Three young brothers died after falling through ice on a frozen pond in Texas, even as their mother and others attempted to rescue them.
The incident happened on a private pond off Recreational Road 3 outside Bonham on Monday, Jan. 26, according to a news release from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office.
Relatives identified the children as Howard, 6, Kaleb, 8, and EJ, 9, Fox affiliate KDFW reported.
Cheyenne Hangaman, the boys’ mother, told the station that Howard was the first to fall through the ice. She said his brothers jumped in to try to save him — and she entered the water moments later.
“I tried to save them while also trying to keep myself alive. As soon as I jumped in, I locked up. I couldn’t do anything,” Hangaman said.
Hangaman said a neighbor later helped pull her from the water, according to KDFW. A high school football coach also tried to rescue the children.
First responders and a neighbor eventually pulled the 8-year-old and 9-year-old from the pond, the sheriff’s office said. They were given medical care and transported to a local hospital, but both later died.
The 6-year-old “did not resurface but was later recovered after an extensive search of the pond,” the sheriff’s office said. He later died as well.
The Bonham Independent School District said the boys attended elementary school in the district, according to NBC affiliate KXAS. The district said counseling support has been made available to students and staff.
“We are devastated by this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who knew and loved these children,” the district said.
More than $35,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe for the family as of Tuesday, Jan. 27.
At least 30 deaths have been reported in states impacted by Winter Storm Fern, according to the Associated Press.
