AURORA | Firefighters rescued an unidentified man and a dog from an icy Aurora pond Tuesday night after a witness reported a hole in the ice at Sand Creek Park, authorities said.
The call came in at about 7 p.m. at the park near 2564 Fitzsimons Parkway.
A witness told 911 they saw a flashlight near a hole in the ice and a dog struggling in the water, according to Aurora Fire and Rescue officials, Aurora Fire and Rescue spokesperson Eric Hurst said in a statement.
Firefighters wearing dry suits entered the pond and quickly rescued the dog, which was about 20 feet from shore in water estimated to be 5 to 8 feet deep. Aurora police helped keep two other dogs under control as firefighters searched for victims in the pond.
Using hand tools, crews searched beneath the surface and located a man under the water, officials said.
The man was pulled from the pond and taken to a hospital in critical condition, Hurst said. A total of 19 fire and medical units responded, including crews from Aurora Fire Rescue, South Metro Fire Rescue and Falck Rocky Mountain.
South Metro Fire Rescue’s dive team assisted with a secondary search of the pond, which was clear, officials said.
Aurora Animal Services responded and took custody of the dogs, which were not injured. No other injuries were reported.
Officials reminded the public that no ice is safe ice.
Anyone who sees a person or pet fall through the ice should stay on shore and call 911.
So.rry thathe man died.
Thoughthat he would survive because cold water rescues have a higher chance of being successful outcomes.
His dogs or was he trying to rescue someonelse’s dogs?