SEARCH & RESCUES

4 people fall through ice in Clearfield pond in 1 day, no injuries

Mar 12, 2023, 3:15 PM | Updated: Apr 17, 2023, 2:45 pm

CLEARFIELD, Utah — The North Davis Fire District is warning people not to step on the ice at Steed Pond in Clearfield after reporting four people fell through the ice in a matter of hours.

The fire department said that on Saturday afternoon, two boys, ages 11 and 12, fell through the ice into the pond. Battalion Chief Allen Hadley explained the boys went in over their heads in an area where they couldn’t touch the bottom of the pond.

“As we responded when we got there, we learned that there was a lady there with her children at a playground who saw it happen, and she went in after the kids and was able to pull them out or help them to the shore,” he said.

Battalion Chief Hadley said his crew found the boys cold and wet but uninjured. They warmed the children up in the ambulance while waiting for their parents to come to pick them up.

The crew returned to Steed Pond a little while later to put out signs warning people of the dangerous conditions. Battalion Chief Hadley explained that when he arrived, he spotted three little girls out on the ice with what appeared to be their mom or babysitter onshore.

As he got out to warn them of the thin ice, one of the little girls fell through up to her knees and started crying– the fourth person to end up in the water in one afternoon.

They posted signs all around the pond that say: CAUTION! ICE IS UNSAFE.

Battalion Chief Hadley said he had happened to stop by Steed Pond earlier on Saturday to survey it for an ice rescue training scheduled on Sunday. He noticed a family on the ice, fishing. At the time, Hadley reported the ice was thick enough to hold them up.

But everything changed as the day went on, and all the others tried to walk out on the ice.

“They don’t really consider the fact that we’ve had rain, the weather is starting to get warm, the ice is starting to melt, and it changes rapidly like within 24 hours there was a significant change,” Hadley said. “Don’t try to get that last fishing trip in if the ice isn’t safe. Don’t risk it.”

The North Davis Fire District crew carried on their already scheduled ice water rescue training Sunday morning. Hadley explained that the pond was in even worse condition, and the firefighters were falling through the ice.

Hadley is warning parents to keep their kids off the ice and away from the water, not just for Steed Pond but for bodies of water up and down the Wasatch Front.

“With the heavy snow that we’ve gotten this year, the runoff this year is going to be even worse than we’ve seen in the years past,” he said. “Watch your kids. Don’t get too close to the water. Wear your life jackets… be extra cautious because it just happens so fast.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Search & Rescues

Avalanche Awareness Week is coming at a critical time after some areas in the mountains of Utah got...

Dan Rascon

Avalanche Awareness Week provides training for those going into the backcountry

Avalanche Awareness Week is coming at a critical time after some areas in the mountains of Utah got more than 4 feet of new snow as a result of the weekend storm.

4 days ago

Two BASE jumpers were rescued by 
 search and rescue personnel in separate incidents last week near...

Mark Jones

Two BASE jumpers injured last week in separate incidents near Moab

The Grand County Sheriff's Office says a 37-year-old BASE jumper was injured in a fall last week, and another jumper suffered ankle and wrist injuries in a separate incident. 

10 days ago

FILE PHOTO...

Michael Houck

Hiker airlifted to hospital after 20-foot-drop near Snowbasin

A woman was hospitalized after falling off a ledge near the top of Mount Ogden Saturday afternoon.

3 months ago

A photo of Mary Jane Canyon with water. ( Courtesy of former GCSAR member G. Sherrill)...

Michael Houck

Hiker and dog rescued from flash flood in Mary Jane Canyon

A woman and her dog were carried about 200 feet by a flash flood in Mary Jane Canyon on Thursday evening.

3 months ago

Fairyland Loop Trail on Friday as the rain started to pour on the trail. (Courtesy: Terri Bush)...

Brianna Chavez and Michael Houck, KSL TV

Garfield County officials urge hikers to be prepared after death in Bryce Canyon National Park

Local officials are asking hikers to come prepared after an Arizona woman went missing in Bryce Canyon and was found dead. 

3 months ago

(FILE) - Bryce Canyon National Park Sign...

Michael Houck

Arizona hiker found dead in Bryce Canyon National Park

An Arizona woman was found dead early Saturday morning after being reported missing Friday afternoon, authorities say.

3 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

4 people fall through ice in Clearfield pond in 1 day, no injuries