2 Children Hospitalized After Falling in Icy Pond at Apartment Complex

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Two children, ages 7 and 12, were hospitalized after falling through the ice of a frozen pond at the Southwind Lakes Apartments in Memphis, Tennessee on Friday night. One child is in severely critical condition, while the other is in non-critical condition. A Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputy was also injured during the rescue attempt and was taken to the hospital.

Why it matters

Incidents like this highlight the dangers of frozen ponds and the need for public awareness and safety measures around these hazards, especially in residential areas where children may be present. The rescue efforts also put first responders at risk, underscoring the challenges they face in these types of emergencies.

The details

According to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, the two boys were walking on the frozen pond at the Southwind Lakes Apartments around 8 p.m. when the ice broke, causing them to fall into the water. The sheriff's office responded to the drowning call and deputies entered the water to rescue the children, who were submerged for at least three minutes. Shelby County Fire officials transported the 7-year-old, who was in severely critical condition, and the 12-year-old, who was in non-critical condition, to Baptist Pediatric Hospital. One deputy was also taken to the hospital for an injury sustained during the rescue attempt.

• The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2026.

What’s next

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident and will likely review safety protocols for responding to emergencies involving frozen bodies of water.