An 8-year-old girl rescued her younger brother after he fell through thin ice while playing at the river here on Sunday at about 1:15pm.
OPP Constable Keith Robb said officers were called about a child falling through the ice into the Conestogo River at the Elm Street playground (Kinsmen Park).
Robb said several children were playing near the river, throwing rocks into the water, when one of them walked onto the ice to retrieve a rock and fell through.
The victim, Gavin Dolson-Stuckless, 6, was quickly rescued by his older sister, Kaylin Stuckless 8, who also jumped into the water to help him.
His other sibling, Brandon Soehner, 4, ran to get help.
Kaylin lost one of her boots during the rescue and was forced to leave it behind in the river while she pulled her brother out from water that reached a depth of four to five feet.
She later said she did not stop to think about what she was doing, and got scared only after her brother was safely out of the water.
Brandon and Kaylin will be recommended for an award for their life-saving efforts.
Gavin, who thought he could safely cross the river, said he has learned his lesson.
“Now I know that the only ice to go out on is at the arena," he said.
Firefighters from the Mapleton Fire Department responded, as well as paramedics from Royal City Ambulance. Both children were transported to Palmerston and District Hospital, treated for hypothermia, and released.
Robb said the county OPP reminds everyone of the dangers of playing near water at this time of year, when ice will be thin and the river banks in particular are slippery due to the rain and frost.
He said, “Ice is very thin and it is dangerous to try to walk on any frozen waterways. Please educate your children about these dangers to prevent any serious tragedies.”
