2 Kids Pulled From Woodbury Lake After Falling Through Thin Ice
Emergency crews responded to Markgrafs Lake in Woodbury late Monday afternoon after two children fell through the ice.
A 12-year-old girl was rescued and transported to the hospital, reportedly conscious and breathing, according to initial radio dispatches.
A second victim, a 16-year-old boy, was later located by divers and transported while in critical condition after reportedly experiencing cardiac arrest, according to EMS radio communication reviewed by MN CRIME.
Stillwater Area Public Schools has since confirmed that the 16-year-old boy was an 11th grade student at Stillwater High School and has passed away. Yahye Abdi died Thursday morning at a hospital in Minneapolis. His cause of death was listed as accidental freshwater drowning.
The incident was first reported at 4:29 p.m. when a 911 caller said a child had fallen through a hole in the ice. Emergency personnel, including law enforcement, fire, EMS and dive teams, arrived quickly and began rescue efforts. Citizens on the scene also reportedly attempted to assist, with some falling through the ice themselves, authorities said.
The girl was pulled from the water early in the response and taken to Regions Hospital for treatment. The teenage boy, who had been underwater when responders arrived, was located later by divers and transported to the same hospital. Authorities said no additional individuals were involved in the incident.
This marks the second ice-related rescue in Woodbury on Monday. Earlier in the day, an adult male was pulled from Wilmes Lake after falling through thin ice while riding his bike. Officials are urging residents to exercise caution near frozen lakes and ponds as conditions remain dangerous.
Woodbury Public Safety credited a coordinated effort from numerous agencies, including the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Cottage Grove Public Safety, Oakdale Police and Fire, Hudson Fire, Stillwater Fire and multiple joint dive teams, in responding to the incident.
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