At a Glance
- A toddler died after falling through ice into a freezing pond in Henrico County, Virginia.
- The incident occurred on Jan. 26, 2024, and involved an adult who was treated for possible hypothermia.
- Henrico County Police are investigating the circumstances and have asked witnesses to contact Det. K. Herbst.
Why it matters: The tragedy highlights the danger of walking on thin ice and underscores the need for public awareness and swift emergency response.
On Monday, Jan. 26, a toddler was pulled from a pond near the 12300 block of Shore View Drive after falling through ice. The child was found unconscious and receiving CPR from Henrico County Division of Fire personnel. He was transported to a local hospital in life-threatening condition, where he later died.
Incident Details
The pond was located in a residential area of Henrico County, Virginia. The day of the incident was below freezing, following a snow and ice storm that had left the area slick. According to Henrico County Police, the scene was reached at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time.
> “Once on scene, officers located the child unconscious and receiving CPR from personnel with the Henrico County Division of Fire,” the police posted on Facebook.
An adult male was also on the scene. He was treated on-site for possible hypothermia after jumping into the pond following the child’s fall.
> “The adult male was treated on-site for possible hypothermia,” the police statement added.
Emergency Response
The Henrico County Division of Fire responded quickly, administering CPR to the toddler. The child was then transported by ambulance to an area hospital. Despite medical efforts, the toddler died in the evening.
The police confirmed that detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section were working to determine how the incident unfolded. They are collaborating with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to establish the cause and manner of death.
> “Henrico Police is in the early stages of its investigation. More information will be released when it is available,” authorities said.
Investigation and Public Appeal
Henrico County Police have requested anyone with information to contact Det. K. Herbst at (804) 501-4831. Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or P3tips.com.
The investigation is ongoing. Police will release further details once the preliminary findings are available.
Warning from Goochland County Fire
Goochland County Fire Captain Haley Ransom issued a warning to residents about walking on ice after the incident. She explained that ice can be deceptive, especially after recent temperature fluctuations.
> “The ice almost never gets thick enough to support the weight of a person because of the up and down temperatures, like it was 50 degrees last week,” Ransom told WWBT.
> “The ice looks like it may be thick, and you could walk on it, maybe a foot or two. And then as the water gets deeper, the ice gets thinner and we have people get through the ice,” she added.
Ransom also warned that hypothermia can set in within seconds if a person falls into the water.
> “If somebody fell in the water, they could be hypothermic within seconds. Also, your body’s reaction is to like shut down your airway. So if you did go in the water, the first thing we would want you to do is hold your breath so that you don’t have that cold water come in,” she advised.
Key Takeaways
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 26, 2024 | Toddler falls through ice, rescued, later dies in hospital |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | Adult treated for possible hypothermia |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | Police begin investigation, request witnesses |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | Fire captain issues public safety warning |
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by thin ice, especially after recent temperature swings. Residents are urged to exercise caution when near bodies of water during winter conditions.
For more updates on the investigation and safety advisories, keep an eye on local news outlets and official Henrico County Police releases.
