Saint Catharines Standard: "Father, son saved from certain death in icy Lake Ontario."

Father, son saved from certain death in icy Lake Ontario

TIFFANY MAYER
Local News - Tuesday, February 27, 2007 @ 01:00

Ten minutes.

Had it taken Grimsby firefighters much longer, the rescue of an 11-year-old boy and his father from the icy, tumultuous waters of Lake Ontario would have ended in disaster.

"This is life or death," said Fire Chief Chris Halliday. "If we didn't get them out in that time, they wouldn't be with us."

Just before 6 p.m. Monday, emergency crews were called to 61 Lake St.

in Grimsby. Niagara Regional Police said the 11-year-old was playing with his 13-year-old brother in the backyard of their family's home, which backs onto the lake.

The boys were playing near the shore line, which is down a steep embankment, when the ice gave way and the 11-year-old fell through. His brother ran home to get help.

The boys' father attempted to pull his son to safety but also fell through the ice, along with the family's dog.

NRP Sgt. Richard Frayne said they were in the freezing water for about 20 minutes before being pulled to safety. The dog, however, died.

Halliday said the rescue was a challenging one for firefighters.

"The conditions were absolutely horrendous - high waves, six-foot swells, a 10-foot ice bank. The weight of the water was smashing firefighters against the shore," he said.

Halliday said both the boy and his 46-year-old father suffered severe hypothermia. Both are expected to recover.

The boy was taken to McMaster Children's Hospital for treatment while his father went to West Lincoln Memorial. At the request of the family, police are not releasing any names.