Many police and fire personnel responded to the report of a man through the ice late New Year’s Day afternoon. —Todd Gordon photo
Quick thinking and cooperation among skaters saved an man who fell through the ice New Years Day at Pierrepont Pond.
A group of skaters, and hockey players were enjoying the clear ice around 4:30 p.m. when Hannah and Haley Snyder and Lindsey Gordon saw a large plume of water appear as a skater at the northern end of the pond near Clayton Place disappeared from view.
They called out to their parents, who after dialing 911, solicited help from the hockey players and raced along the shore to help the skater turned swimmer.
It took several attempts with ropes and logs as the ice kept breaking away underneath the submerged skater.
However, just as police and firemen arrived, the rescuers were able to complete the save.
The unlucky skater was described as a man in his 40s. He seemed exhausted by the effort, but after being assisted to his feet, skated away toward Lookout Point before emergency personnel could make their way onto the ice.
Ridgefield police and firemen were very quick to respond to the 911 call but with out the rapid response of people on the scene it might have been a very unhappy New Year’s Day.
Additional reporting by Press staff.