The second child who fell through ice at a park in Albany, New York, has died, according to police. On December 7, 2024, two children fell through ice at Washington Park. Police believe the boy, 12, walked across the lake in attempt to get to the lake house. An 11-year-old girl reportedly tried to help him after he fell through the ice.
Initially, officers and firefighters rescued the girl and she was transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital. However, in a December 10 update, the Albany Police Department said that the girl succumbed to her injuries.
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The children fell through ice at Albany's Washington Park on December 7.
At around 4:35 p.m. on December 7, officers responded to Washington Park Lake in an attempt to rescue the two children. At the time, the 11-year-old girl was rescued and taken to the hospital, but she was in critical condition.
Later, during a secondary search, the New York State Police underwater recovery team recovered the boy’s body from the lake.
The police department shared an update on December 10.
Unfortunately, the girl also died as a result of the tragic ice incident. In a statement, the Albany Police Department said the children’s school district had been notified. Both kids went to school in the City School District of Albany. Their names have not been released because of their ages.
“The Albany Police Department extends its heartfelt condolences and support to the families and friends of both children during this difficult time,” police said in the statement.
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The school district informed students and employees about the tragic accident.
After the boy’s death on December 7, the school district shared a statement. In the statement, the district informed students and employees that crisis services would be available. On December 10, the district shared more information about support services.
“The second North Albany Middle School student involved in Saturday’s accident has died from injuries suffered as they tried to rescue their classmate after that student fell through the ice,” the school district said on Facebook.
'Our school community was heartbroken yet again,' Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter said in a statement.
City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter, reacted to the heartbreaking news in a follow-up statement. “Our school community was heartbroken yet again Tuesday to learn that the second North Albany Middle School student involved in Saturday’s tragic accident in Washington Park has died,” Hochreiter wrote. “Our hearts go out to the family of this student, who gave their life trying to save their friend. We will remember that selfless courage even as we mourn another unimaginable loss.”
Albany’s mayor has urged parents to talk to their children about winter safety.
After the tragedy, the city of Albany put up “Keep Off the Ice” signs at Washington Park, CBS 6 reported. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan reminded people that walking on frozen bodies of water is not safe. “Two young people ventured out onto the ice. It was very thin. It was shocking they made it as far out into the lake as they did, given how thin that ice was,” Sheehan said, per WNYT.
“It’s just a reminder of how fragile life can be and how important it is that we ensure that our children know, and that everyone in our community knows that venturing out onto the ice is not a safe thing to do on any of the bodies of water here,” Sheehan added.
