Oklahoma Firefighters Warn Of Dangers Involving Frozen Ponds

By Craig Day, The News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, OK -- Brutally cold temperatures are in the forecast. It's cold now, but temperatures are expected to get down close to zero toward the end of the week.

You can get the latest WARN Team forecast in the NewsOn6.com Weather section.

The cold weather can cause a wide range of problems and it's prompting a warning.

With so many kids out of school, they might be tempted to get out on frozen ponds. That worries firefighter Bruce Waterbury.

"I see ice differently than I ever have before," said Bruce Waterbury, Bartlesville Fire Department.

A few years ago, Waterbury and fellow firefighter Justin Woodworth rescued a 17-year-old girl who had fallen through pond ice at a Bartlesville park.

"Those types of calls, they're just very scary," said Waterbury.

Hypothermia, frostbite and drowning were all possibilities. After 25 minutes in the water, the teen was pulled to safety.

1/26/2007  Related Story: Bartlesville Icy Rescue

"That day, God was with us and we got out ok," said Waterbury.

While in that case, it had a positive outcome, in so many others, it doesn't turn out that way and time is critical.

In 2007, a five-year-old boy went through the ice on a Van Buren farm pond and died two weeks later. 

Waterbury hates to think of that happening again.

"The shock the body goes through, they just can't imagine how much control they lose over their body in that icy water," said Waterbury.

Waterbury says whether it's curiosity or for fun, getting on the ice isn't worth the risk. It can be trouble in an instant.

"If they want to play on the ice, go to an ice rink. Go where they can have fun and enjoy it and not have that risk of possible loss of human life," said Waterbury.

After the Bartlesville rescue, donations paid for life jackets and extra rescue ropes for each fire truck, but firefighters hope they aren't needed. Firefighters hope spreading the word about the danger will keep people off the ice and alive. 

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