A father has been hailed as a hero after using his final moments to save his six-year-old son when their snowmobile plunged through thin ice during an ice fishing trip in upstate New York. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at Chaumont Pond, claiming the lives of two men while the young boy miraculously survived.
Desperate Rescue Attempt on Frozen Pond
Bryan LaPlante, aged 33, was enjoying a day of ice fishing with his young son and friend Michael Booth, 48, when their snowmobile unexpectedly broke through the ice. According to family members who spoke to local media, LaPlante managed to lift his son out of the freezing water in a final act of parental heroism, but tragically could not save himself from the icy depths.
Family's Harrowing Discovery
When the fishing party failed to return home, LaPlante's father Patrick, 51, went to investigate at the pond. He discovered the horrifying scene and immediately attempted to rescue his son, only to fall into the water himself during the frantic effort. Patrick eventually managed to extract himself from the freezing pond but was unable to locate either his son or Booth in the water.
Remarkably, the six-year-old boy was nowhere to be found at the scene initially. Patrick returned home distraught, only for the child to appear shortly afterward, having walked approximately two miles from the pond back to safety.
Medical Response and Tragic Outcome
The grandfather and grandson were both transported to Clifton-Fine Hospital where medical staff treated them for hypothermia. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials located LaPlante and Booth unresponsive in the water and made desperate attempts to revive them. Despite these efforts, both men were later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Investigation and Weather Conditions
An investigation into the deaths remains ongoing, with St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Richard Rusaw noting that fishing equipment was observed floating in the open holes created by the accident. Weather conditions at the time of the incident featured light snow and ice fog, with temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
"My brother died saving his son," wrote Paige LaPlante, Bryan's sister, in an emotional Facebook post. "My nephew made it home because Boothy told him to follow the moon to get back to memes. Every single person in this story was a hero. I have never been more proud of every single one of them."
Broader Winter Weather Context
The tragedy occurred as New York state experiences significant winter weather conditions. Parts of the state received more than two feet of snow last week, with the Empire State bracing for an arctic blast. Those in the Tri-State Area downstate are preparing for up to ten inches of snow this weekend as cold temperatures continue to spread throughout the Northeast region.
The winter weather system is expected to commence on Sunday and persist into Monday, creating potentially hazardous conditions similar to those that contributed to Sunday's tragic accident on Chaumont Pond.
