HAILED AS HEROES: Deputies brave freezing pond to rescue teens trapped under ice in Madras
Harley Coldiron
(Update: adding video)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two Jefferson County deputies didn’t hesitate to plunge into freezing, dangerously thin ice Wednesday evening, breaking through the pond to save two teenage girls who had fallen through at the Madras fairgrounds.
Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and crews from Jefferson County Fire & EMS arrived within minutes to find the two girls, ages 15 and 16, trapped in the frigid water near the north end of the pond. Rescuers encountered hazardous conditions, including ice that was only 1.5 to two inches thick.
The teenagers were part of a group hanging out at the fairgrounds around 5 p.m. when they decided to walk onto the ice. The thin surface quickly cracked, causing the pair to plunge into the freezing water. Their friends called 911 for help as the two girls reported experiencing extreme cold and exhaustion.
Deputies CJ Linden and Charles Hatcher arrived at the pond within minutes and began breaking through the ice to reach the teens. Sergeant Ben Toops then entered the water with rescue equipment to complete the rescue. Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office shows the deputies pulling the two girls to safety using a bodyboard and rope. Sheriff Jason Pollock was also on the scene and actively helping in the rescue.
Although trained in water rescue, the deputies were wearing their standard uniforms during the incident, which made the physical task of breaking the ice more difficult. Deputy Linden noted that the depth and conditions were unknown when they first arrived. “Yeah, it was a lot deeper than we anticipated. We didn’t know how thick the ice was. We don’t know how cold the water is,” Linden said.
Both juveniles were treated at the scene for symptoms of hypothermia and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for further care. The deputies involved in the rescue sustained minor injuries while breaking through the ice, but tell KTVZ News they are fine.
Youth Fishing Pond, where two teens were rescued from beneath the ice. Courtesy: Jefferson County.
Linden, who also serves as a school resource officer, recognized one of the girls he helped save. He later visited the hospital to check on their recovery. “They recognized me from being in the schools, and I talked with them and just chatted with them and let them know that, you know, I was glad that they were okay and to not play on the ice anymore,” Linden said.
Local emergency officials are warning the public to stay off all frozen ponds, lakes, and waterways. They cautioned that ice thickness can change quickly and become dangerously unstable during fluctuating winter temperatures.
Jefferson County Sheriff Jason Pollock, who was also on the scene and actively participated in the heroic rescue, praised the coordinated response from the various agencies involved and credited their quick teamwork with saving the teens.
Deputy Hatcher said the rescue reflects the department’s commitment to the town. “This department is a family, and this community is our family,” Hatcher said.