Smiths Falls, Ont. firefighter recounts dramatic ice rescue

Fire officials in Smiths Falls are warning the public over the dangers of ice after a 14-year-old boy fell into freezing waters on Friday afternoon.

Fire officials in Smiths Falls are warning the public over the dangers of ice after a 14-year-old boy fell into freezing waters on Friday afternoon.

"I think there was a group of young fellows that were walking along and one of them chose to attempt to cross the ice to the other side, and unfortunately he went through," Smiths Falls fire chief Rick Chesebrough told CTV News.

Veteran Smiths Falls firefighter Hogan Fitzgerald was one of two first responders who ventured out onto the frozen Rideau River to rescue the boy.

"We did initially make contact with the 14-year-old boy that was in the water, yelling at him to make sure that we were coming for him," Fitzgerald recalled.

Fire officials say the teenager was likely in the water for at least 10 minutes before being pulled to safety.

"Very slurred speech with the boy, and his body movements, there wasn't much left for him to be able to help us out with," Fitzgerald said.

"It was great just to get him to shore and he was definitely hypothermic."