Utah deputy punches way through ice to save child

An 8-year-old boy who was pulled from a frozen southern Utah pond on Christmas Day is awake and recovering, law enforcement officials said Wednesday. The boy, identified as Jason, has been hospitalized since late Monday, when a Washington County Sheriff ’s deputy punched his way through the ice with his fists and dove into freezing water to rescue the boy.

The boy’s family has asked for privacy following the incident, but a press official with the sheriff’s office said the family wanted to “thank the public for the prayers and thoughtful messages they have received during this difficult time.”

The father reported through the sheriff ’s office that Jason was awake and coherent, responding to questions from hospital staff.

Sgt. Aaron Thompson, the deputy who pulled the boy from the water, was hailed as a hero by the sheriff and others in the community, although on Tuesday

he said he wanted to share any credit with his fellow responders.

A search and rescue veteran with experience on a dive team, Thompson said he knew when he arrived on scene that he had little time to dive in and get the boy out.

The boy was chasing his dog Monday evening in the small community of New Harmony, about 30 miles north of St. George, when another child saw him fall through the ice. Unable to help, the other child ran inside to tell family members, who then reported the incident shortly after 5 p.m.

Thompson arrived on scene and heard from another person on scene that she had seen the boy’s hand just minutes earlier, he said. So he stripped off his police gear and used his hands and forearms to batter his way into the ice, eventually wading in up to his neck about 25 feet from the shoreline before locating the child and lifting him out of the water.

“Once I saw his face I just pulled his head up above the water,” Thompson said.

The boy had been in the water for about 30 minutes, but the frigid temperatures — the water was 37 degrees — actually meant that there was a chance he could still survive, Thompson said.

Awaiting medical personnel began treating the boy on scene, and he was then airlifted to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George.

Thompson was also hospitalized and treated for symptoms of hypothermia, as well as cuts and abrasions sustained while breaking through the ice.

Sheriff Cory Pulsipher called Thompson a hero.

“A lot of people would probably like to think they would have dived in too, but how many actually would have?” he said. “He hates having the spotlight on him, but he’s a hero.”

Thompson said his dive team experience proved invaluable, crediting the sheriff ’s office for

The frigid temperatures — the water was 37 degrees — actually meant that there was a chance he could still survive.

maintaining a culture where many deputies train in their personal time to equip themselves with skills that can be used on the job.