(Scypre.com) – A devastating accident at Washington Square Park in Albany, New York, has left a community reeling. A 12-year-old boy tragically lost his life, and an 11-year-old girl is in critical condition after they fell through ice on Saturday afternoon.
The Albany Police Department responded to reports of juveniles falling through the ice near the park’s lake house around 4:35 p.m. Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered the young girl, who was quickly transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital. She remains in critical condition.
The New York State Police underwater recovery team later recovered the boy’s body after an hours-long search. Authorities have refrained from releasing the children’s identities due to their ages.
The two children were students at North Albany Middle School. The Albany City School District expressed its condolences in a statement from Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter. “Our hearts go out to the families of these students at this incredibly difficult time. This is a terrible tragedy, and we are grieving as a school community,” Hochreiter said.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the boy fell through the ice while attempting to walk toward the lake house. The girl may have been trying to help him when she also fell through.
This heartbreaking incident has sparked warnings from local authorities about the dangers of unstable ice during the early winter season. They urge families to remind children about the risks of walking on frozen bodies of water, particularly in public parks.
As the Albany community mourns this loss, schools are providing grief counseling and support for students and staff impacted by the tragedy. Officials emphasize the importance of unity during such challenging times, as the community navigates its collective grief.