Tragedy struck a rural community near Bonham, Texas, when three young brothers aged 6, 8, and 9 drowned after falling through an icy pond amid a widespread winter storm. According to a statement by the Fannin County Sheriff's Office, emergency services received a call on Monday about the incident, which occurred on a private property off Rec Road #3. Despite rescue efforts that included first responders and a neighbor who assisted in pulling the two older boys from the water, all three siblings were pronounced deceased at a local hospital.
During the harrowing ordeal, the mother of the boys, Cheyenne Hangaman, attempted a frantic rescue after being alerted by her daughter. In a CTV News interview, Hangaman recounted the chilling moment: "They were just screaming, telling me to help them. And I watched all of them struggle, struggle to stay above the water. I watched all of them fight." Hangman tried desperately to save her children but was overcome by the freezing water. A man who arrived to assist was able to throw a rope to Hangman and pull her to safety.
The boys, who attended the local Bonham Independent School District, were remembered for their vibrant spirit. "All three of the boys were 'bubbly.' You couldn't really stop their bubbliness," Hangman told CTV News. The school district had canceled classes on Monday due to the severe weather conditions, which had rendered roads icy and temperatures notably freezing.
Multiple agencies, including the Bonham Fire and Police Department, Lamar County emergency responders, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, were involved in the response to the tragic accident. The sheriff's office, in a statement obtained by Fox San Antonio, expressed their condolences, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all affected by this tragic incident." As the small community grapples with this loss, a layer of ice was reported to still cover much of the pond, a stark reminder of the dangers that have accompanied the recent cold snap affecting the state.
