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The incident began in the Town of Fairfield around 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22, when the Fairfield Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a 24-year-old man had fallen through the ice at Lake Mohegan, said Fairfield Fire Department Asst. Chief Roger Caisse.
The fire department immediately responded to the area within six minutes and found that three Good Samaritans including two men and a woman, had pulled the victim from the icy water, but he was unable to walk, Caisse said.
Additional firefighters arrived on the scene and made their way to the victim where they began treatment for severe hypothermia, the chief said.
Witnesses told rescuers that the man had ventured approximately about ventured about 25-feet onto the ice to rescue his dog who had fallen through the ice.
Fairfield Fire and police personnel carried the man from the path, which was approximately a half-mile, to the main parking lot, Caisse said.
AMR paramedics provided triage and transport for the three good Samaritans who were showing signs of mild hypothermia, as well as the rescued man.
Fairfield Police said the man was listed in stable condition at Bridgeport Hospital.
Fairfield Animal Control officers checked the dog and released it to a friend of the victim.
“Ice less than 4 inches thick can be extremely dangerous,” said Caisse. “Hypothermia happens very quickly when the body is submerged in icy water and can render your muscles useless when trying to escape.”
Caisse said pet owners should not attempt to rescue an animal trapped on the ice, but instead call for help.
"This can often end in tragedy," he said. "Instead, call 911 to alert your local emergency response personnel, who are equipped to make a rescue on thin ice."
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