Prince William Co. warns of dangerous conditions after man dies after falling through frozen pond

A man has died after falling through ice in a Virginia pond on Saturday night.

It happened at a park near Erinblair Loop and Piedmont Vista Drive in Haymarket, Virginia, around 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Prince William County police told WTOP.

Several people at the park attempted to rescue a 19-year-old man who fell through the ice in a pond, police said. The man was transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest. He later died, police told WTOP.

Prince William County Fire Marshall Matt Smolsky has issued a warning to residents to stay off all local ice, even if it looks solid.

Because the DMV rarely produces ice of the quality and thickness necessary for safe outdoor recreation, standing on local ice is riskier than in northern climates, according to Prince William County Fire and Rescue.

Ice that forms where water levels change frequently, or where the water is moving, such as stormwater ponds, rivers and streams is especially dangerous, the fire department said, because its thickness will vary with the conditions and may contain cracks.  

The fire department says that if you see anyone on the ice, tell them to get off as it’s not safe. This includes animals.

What do you do if someone falls in?

Ice can deteriorate four times faster than it forms, the fire department said. Should an individual or animal fall into icy waters, moderate to severe hypothermia can occur in less than 10 minutes, according to the fire department, with the window of opportunity for a successful rescue closing rapidly.

If someone falls through the ice, Prince William County Fire and Rescue says you should:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Do not go onto the ice to rescue them.
• Safely reach out to the victim by providing them something that will help them stay afloat.