Two 7-year-old children died Sunday after falling through the ice on a rural pond near Richlands, according to county officials. Deputies and EMS responded to a 911 call on Mayberry Lane around 5:30 p.m., removed both children from the water, and transported them to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, where they were pronounced dead. Onslow County Sheriff Chris Thomas described the incident as “heartbreaking” and offered condolences to the families.
What happened
Deputies were dispatched around 5:30 p.m. Sunday following reports of a child in a pond, officials said. Upon arrival on Mayberry Lane, they found two juveniles in the water. The road, northeast of Richlands, is a sparsely populated dead-end with several ponds nearby.
First responders from multiple agencies administered life-saving measures before both children were transported to Camp Lejeune. Investigators confirmed that both victims were 7 years old, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Officials' statement and investigation
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release that the deaths are being treated as accidental and that the children’s identities will not be released. The release noted that a family member had removed one child from the water before deputies arrived, and both children later died from their injuries.
Onslow County Sheriff Chris Thomas offered condolences and described the incident as a heartbreaking loss, according to the sheriff’s office. The agency said the investigation is ongoing and that updates will be shared through official channels as they become available.
Frozen ponds after the storm
The pond involved was one of many that froze over following a January 31 snowstorm, which dropped more than 16 inches in parts of North Carolina. The storm created a layer of thin, brittle ice on many rural water bodies, and local reporting noted that recent cold conditions made inland ponds appear solid while remaining unstable.
Other recent incidents
The Onslow County incident is one of several ice-related accidents reported in North Carolina this winter. In Clinton County on January 22, a 5-year-old girl and a 50-year-old man died after falling into a private pond. WITN reported on that case, highlighting the dangers of thin ice and cold water.
Ice safety and expert advice
Safety experts note that ice rarely freezes evenly, and a surface that appears solid may not support weight. Michigan State University Extension and other agencies advise avoiding untested ice, checking thickness, and using reach-or-throw methods rather than entering the water yourself if someone falls through. MSU Extension recommends calling 911 immediately and allowing trained responders to conduct the rescue.
What neighbors should know
Local officials are advising residents to keep children and pets away from backyard ponds while ice conditions remain unstable and to call 911 immediately if someone is in danger. Further updates will be provided as the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office and local news outlets continue their coverage.
