People rescued after falling through ice in Malden, Lynn

Firefighters in Malden and Lynn are urging residents to steer clear of icy bodies of water after rescuing two people who fell through ice this week. 

The first rescue happened in Malden around 2 p.m. Wednesday, when fire crews responded to Fellsmere Pond for reports of a person in distress in the water. They arrived to find a young woman holding onto the edge of the ice and managed to pull her from the water in less than 30 seconds, according to the Malden Fire Department. 

Speaking to NBC10 Boston, Malden Fire Capt. Roy Tribble said the person rescued, a 14-year-old girl, was conscious and alert after she was pulled from water that was about 30 feet deep. She was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment, the Malden Fire Department said. 

“Please stay off the ice,” the department warned. “Appearances can be deceiving, and there is no guarantee that local bodies of water are frozen thick enough to support weight. Thin ice is unpredictable and dangerous — please use caution this winter.”

Yet a similar rescue played out in Lynn just hours later, when firefighters responded to a call about an unknown object on the ice at Flax Pond around 7:30 p.m.

“Dispatch indicated that it was dark in that area, and the caller could not tell what it was. It was not moving, and when they attempted to call to it, there was no reply,” the Lynn Fire Department recalled. “Oftentimes, kids playing throw objects out on the ice in that area as they walk home from school.”

Firefighters shone a light out on the ice and spotted a body in the water, about 30 feet from shore. As water rescue and emergency medical crews headed to the scene, Fire Capt. Michael Carmody donned a life vest, grabbed the water rescue rope, and made his way onto ice that was about two inches thick, according to the Lynn Fire Department. 

“He attempted to throw the rope to the victim, who was now flailing half underwater as the ice was breaking around him,” the department explained. “But the rope was not long enough.”

Lynn Police Officer Ioan Rasinariu arrived with a life rescue ring, and first responders tied the ropes together and threw the ring to the man, who was able to grab hold. 

The man, who is about 33 years old, was brought to shore and treated at the scene before he was taken to Salem Hospital, according to the fire department. 

“It is unknown why or how long the person was on the ice,” the department added. 

Lynn firefighters also noted the call could have had a far more tragic outcome, if not for first responders and the passerby who called 911.

“It is imperative to understand that no ice is considered safe, no matter how cold it gets,” the Lynn Fire Department said. “Without a doubt, if it weren’t for the quick action of all involved, including the passerby who spotted what turned out to be a human life and called 911, then this would’ve been a fatality.”

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.