Rescue of three boys from Cambridge pond prompts safety plea from officials
The Waterloo Regional Police Service has issued a public plea after three 13-year-old boys fell through the ice at a Cambridge pond on Tuesday.
"You never really know exactly where the edges are and just how thick the ice may be, so we encourage people to stay away from the ice," advised Const. Chris Iden, with the Waterloo Regional Police Service.
Witnesses called emergency responders to Green Vista Drive and Saginaw Parkway around 3:30 p.m.
"They made great efforts to assist the young ones on the pond," Iden said. "The children were treated for hypothermia, just for preventative and precautionary measures, but there were no reports of any physical injuries."
A bystander told CTV News the area was packed with emergency personnel, including several police cruisers, ambulances and fire trucks. Cambridge Fire confirmed their water rescue boat was bought in but not deployed.
"Please stay away from all storm ponds and bodies of water that appear to be frozen but may not be able to support additional weight," a statement read from the fire service. "No storm pond ice water is safe and, although water may appear to be frozen, it may not be safe to walk on."
The pond at Green Vista Drive and Saginaw Parkway in Cambridge on Dec. 4, 2024. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News)
Water safety
The Lifesaving Society of Ontario emphasizes that ice is never entirely predictable – especially with our fluctuating winter temperatures.
"Thickness is very important, but also the quality of the ice," explained Stephanie Bakalar, a senior communications officer with the Lifesaving Society of Ontario. "You actually need to test the ice with something called an auger, [which cuts] a hole through the ice and then you can actually see how many inches of ice do I have here."
According to the organization, approximately 30 to 35 per cent of drownings happen between October and April. Many are the result of unexpected falls into the water.
"When there's a lot of melting and thawing throughout the season, ice becomes what we refer to as dirty,” Bakalar said. “This means that the ice isn't stable and is a very unpredictable surface." She also explained what exactly could happen and what you should do if you happen to fall into freezing water.
"Typically, when someone falls into very cold water, their body has what we call a gasp reflex. Your body actually goes into a bit of a cold-water shock and it's very difficult for you to breathe. If you fall in through the water unexpectedly, you need to be aware of this and try to coax your body into taking some breaths,” Bakalar advised. "To get out of ice that you've fallen on, you want to shimmy on your stomach, so you're lying flat on your stomach, and you're going to try and put your arms up on the ice and kick your feet to slide across the ice. Think of a penguin or a polar bear or something like that. You never want to be trying to stand up or pushing the ice down under your weight. [You want to be] spreading out your weight and sliding across it.”
Bakalar said this latest incident should serve as a reminder to think twice before stepping out on any icy waterway.
"I can tell you that at this time of year, with the weather that we've had, you're not looking at frozen hard ice probably anywhere. We really need to be cautious, not only of the ice, but of cold water in general."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates: Police release image of 'person of interest' in UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting
New York police have released new images of a person of interest in an investigation into the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Here's the latest.
U.S. man wanted for military desertion turns himself in at Buffalo border
A man wanted for deserting the U.S. military 16 years ago was arrested at the border in Buffalo, N.Y. earlier this week.
'At the dawn of a third nuclear age,' senior U.K. commander warns
The head of Britain’s armed forces has warned that the world stands at the cusp of a 'third nuclear age,' defined by multiple simultaneous challenges and weakened safeguards that kept previous threats in check.
AI modelling predicts these foods will be hit hardest by inflation next year
The new year won’t bring a resolution to rising food costs, according to a new report that predicts prices to rise as much as five per cent in 2025.
Alleged Alberta Bitcoin extortionist, arsonist arrested
Authorities have arrested Finbar Hughes, a man wanted in connection with alleged plots in Calgary and Edmonton that threatened to burn victims' homes if they did not pay him Bitcoin ransoms.
Congo government says it's 'on alert' over mystery flu-like disease that killed dozens
Congo’s health minister said Thursday the government is on alert over a mystery flu-like disease that in recent weeks killed dozens of people.
'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken
Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth.
DEVELOPING Ammunition used in CEO's killing had 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose' written on it, AP source says
The masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose,' a law enforcement official said Thursday.
Honda to recall more than 200,000 SUVs in Canada, U.S. over fuel leak concern
Honda is recalling approximately 12,000 vehicles in Canada