Boy, 8, rescued from frozen Utah pond is awake, doing well

UPDATE: Authorities say an 8-year-old Utah boy who was rescued after falling through the ice on a frozen pond on Christmas is awake and doing well.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday afternoon that the little boy, identified only by his first name Jason, is coherent and has been responding to questions from staff at a Salt Lake City hospital.

Lt. David Crouse said the family is thankful for prayers they’ve received and have described the rescue as “a Christmas miracle.”

Washington County sheriff’s Sgt. Aaron Thompson rescued the boy by punching and stomping his way through the ice. Thompson says rescuers believed the boy was in the cold water for about 30 minutes.

The boy fell through the ice in the town of New Harmony, in southwestern Utah.

ORIGINAL:

A Utah sheriff’s deputy says he was desperate and numb from the cold as he punched and stomped his way into a frozen pond to pull out an 8-year-old boy who had fallen through the ice while chasing his dog.

Washington County sheriff’s Sgt. Aaron Thompson said Tuesday rescuers believe the child was in the 37-degree water for about 30 minutes on Christmas Day before the deputy rescued him.

Thompson says he “knew that time was of the essence.”

Authorities say the boy was taken to a Salt Lake City hospital. They didn’t have any immediate details on his condition.

The boy fell through the ice in the town of New Harmony, north of St. George.

Thompson was treated for symptoms of hypothermia and released from a hospital Monday night.