NORTH EAST — A teenage boy died Friday after he fell through the ice while walking with a friend at Taconic State Park in northern Dutchess County, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.
Police did not release the name of the boy, or the name of the other boy, who was able to get out of the water and call 911.
Multiple rescue agencies, including four fire companies from Columbia County, responded to the scene at a pond at Taconic State Park in the town of North East.
At about 2:50 p.m., crews were sent to Shagroy Road after receiving a report that someone had fallen through the ice.
Police learned that two teenagers walked 20 to 30 feet out onto the ice when it broke, sending both into the water. One of the boys was able to get out of the water and call 911, but the other boy did not, police said.
After dive teams arrived on the scene, the teenager was pulled from the water and brought to Sharon Hospital in Connecticut, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.
Police are withholding the identities of the two boys.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by members from numerous agencies from both New York State and Connecticut.
Fire companies from Copake, Ancram, Hillsdale and Craryville were requested to respond with portable outdoor lighting.
Other rescue organizations on the scene were Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, State Police, New York State Parks Police, New York State Parks and numerous fire departments from Dutchess County and Connecticut.
In addition, dive teams from the Sheriff’s Office and Goshen Connecticut Fire Department responded, as well as the Sheriff’s Office’s Patrol Bureau, Marine Patrol, Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit and Detective Bureau.
The Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone to always use extreme caution when walking onto ice, especially during periods of fluctuating temperatures. They strongly urge people to never walk or skate on ice until they have determined that it is 100% safe to do so. Having another person monitoring them on land that can get needed help if needed is another safeguard to take.