Three young brothers under the age of 10 tragically died Monday after falling through thin ice on a private pond near Bonham, Texas, authorities confirmed.
The sad incident has prompted renewed warnings about the dangers of winter weather and frozen bodies of water.
The victims — Howard (6), Kaleb (8), and E.J. (9) — were staying with family near the pond north of Bonham when the ice broke beneath them, according to the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office.
Local officials and the boys’ mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, described the freezing conditions and frantic attempt to rescue them.
Mother’s Harrowing Rescue Effort
Hangaman told The Associated Press that she witnessed her sons struggle in the icy water and attempted to save them by entering the pond herself.
“They were just screaming, telling me to help them,” she said, recounting how the ice repeatedly cracked under her and her children.
Despite her desperate effort and that of a neighbor who assisted in getting her out, all three boys ultimately drowned.
First responders and a neighbor were able to pull the two older boys from the water, and they were transported to a hospital, but they later died from their injuries. The youngest child did not resurface initially and was later recovered by authorities after an extensive search of the pond.
Community Grief and School Support
The boys were students in the Bonham Independent School District, which closed schools due to the hazardous winter weather. District officials expressed deep sorrow over the loss, and counselors have been made available to support students, teachers, and families affected by the tragedy.
Residents and neighbors also rallied around the family, with community members mourning the loss and offering support during an extraordinarily difficult time.
Winter Weather Conditions Cited
The incident occurred amid a widespread winter storm that has brought frigid temperatures and dangerous conditions across multiple U.S. states, leading to dozens of weather-related deaths. Weather officials have been warning families to stay away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water covered with ice that can be deceptively unstable.
Local authorities remind the public that ice can vary in thickness and strength, and appearances can be misleading — even when surfaces look solid — making caution essential for those in freezing conditions.
The tragedy of the three young boys has reverberated throughout the Bonham community and beyond, underscoring both the harsh realities of winter weather and the devastation families can face in the blink of an eye.
