EAST BRUNSWICK – A teenager died and eight rescuers were hospitalized after three boys fell through a pond in East Brunswick.
Patrol units responded to a pond located on Civic Center Drive for the report of juveniles that fell through the ice around 4:55 p.m. on Jan. 22.
Two male juveniles had self-rescued themselves off of the ice, but one juvenile remained in the water, according to information provided by the East Brunswick Police Department.
Arriving officers immediately formed a chain and entered the pond in an effort to rescue the victim, but he slipped under the ice before they could reach him, according to reports.
All East Brunswick Fire Districts were dispatched and were able recover the 13-year-old victim from the pond. Paramedics and emergency medical personnel transported him to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick in critical condition.
As of 7:45 p.m. on Jan. 22, the 13-year-old victim was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
During the rescue efforts, six officers and two firefighters were treated for hypothermia. Two of those officers and one of the firefighters were transported to the hospital. One other officer responding to the incident was involved in a motor vehicle accident and transported to the hospital, according to reports.