A dramatic rescue attempt on a frozen lake in Essex turned into a double emergency after a brave passer-by also fell through the ice while trying to save a man and his dog.
The Icy Plunge in Epping Forest
The incident occurred on Sunday at Connaught Water in Epping Forest, after the lake had frozen over due to the UK's plummeting temperatures. The drama began when a dog walked onto the ice. Its owner ventured out in a desperate attempt to retrieve the pet but fell into the freezing water himself.
Video footage, captured by a member of the public, then shows a heroic passer-by crawling across the ice on his hands and knees to reach the stricken pair. However, as he got to the man and dog, the thin ice gave way, plunging the would-be rescuer into the sub-zero water as well.
A Struggle to Safety in Sub-Zero Temperatures
The footage shows both men struggling to get out, with the ice continuing to break around them as they attempted to crawl to safety. Despite the perilous situation, both men and the dog eventually made it out of the water.
Paramedics checked the pair at the scene. The dog was safely reunited with its owner, and one of the men was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, East London, for further assessment and care.
Fire Service Issues Urgent Safety Warning
In the wake of the incident, Essex Fire and Rescue Service issued a clear warning, urging the public not to enter frozen water. Watch Manager Gary Dyer stated: “We completely understand why people want to help in situations like this, but cold water can overwhelm the body very quickly. The safest thing to do is stay out of the water and call us - we have the training and equipment to respond safely.”
The service's official advice is clear: if someone or an animal gets into difficulty in cold water, do not enter the water. Instead, call 999 and ask for the fire service.
The rescue attempt came during a severe cold snap, with parts of the UK recording temperatures as low as -12.5C on Monday night. The Met Office has yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in place for much of the country, with an amber cold health alert from the UK Health Security Agency extended until Sunday.
