HILLSBORO, Ohio – A 16-year-old girl saved her brother’s life Tuesday night after the couple fell through the ice on Rocky Fork Lake east of Cincinnati, Ohio. Tragically, emergency services couldn’t save hers
The 13-year-old boy was freezing cold and called for help when a construction worker found him around 6:30 p.m. EST, according to Lieutenant Branden Jackman of the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District.
His department responded, flanked by crews from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and dive teams trained to conduct rescues under ice.
They picked up the girl’s body around 11 p.m. EST, Jackman said.
The boy was admitted to Highland District Hospital with hypothermia.
“After the fact, it turns out she took it out before she succumbed,” said Jackman. ‘Don’t go out on the ice. It caused a very serious tragedy last night. “
The girl’s identity was not publicly disclosed on Wednesday night. Jackman said the tragedy should remind people not to risk their lives by walking on frozen bodies of water.
“You look at water and you think, ‘Oh, it’s just water,’” he said. “Thirty-six degrees of water is no different from a three-story house fire. They will both kill you just as quickly. “
According to the department spokesman Stephanie O’Grady, ODNR officer Jason Lagore received a “medical emergency” on the spot during the early stages of the rescue.
First responders took Lagore to Highland District Hospital, but he could not be resuscitated. Lagore had worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for 15 years and was known for his expertise with K-9s.
READ ABOUT HIM: ODNR officer who died at the scene of drowning was K-9 expert, 15-year veteran
The Highland County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in the investigation of the incident.
This story was originally published by Abby Dawn on WCPO.