A Raleigh police sergeant did not wait for backup when a child went through thin ice at Laurel Hills Park in February. He dove into a partially frozen pond and pulled the child to safety, the City of Raleigh said on March 21. The child was left with injuries described as non-life-threatening, and the rescue has put a fresh spotlight on how deceptively dangerous local ponds can be when they ice over.
City praises officer's quick action
The City of Raleigh's official X account publicly thanked the officer on March 21, naming Sgt. Forans for his role in the rescue and posting, "Great job! ♥️" according to the City of Raleigh. The brief message linked to a referenced post and emphasized that the sergeant acted without hesitation when he went into the water.
What local reporting shows
Local reporting places the incident at about 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 9 at a pond off Edwards Mill Road at Glen Eden Drive, near the Laurel Hills Community Center. According to WRAL, a bystander and the child's father helped pull the child from the icy water, and both were taken to WakeMed with injuries described as non-life-threatening. An officer later called the bystander "a true hero for going in that water."
Thin-ice dangers across the Triangle
The rescue came during a brief cold snap that led to several thin-ice scares around the Triangle, including a Cary case in which a neighbor jumped into a partially frozen pond to save a 10-year-old, as reported by ABC11. Officials have urged residents to keep children and pets away from frozen ponds and to call 911 instead of attempting risky rescues on their own.
The City of Raleigh's post has drawn praise for Sgt. Forans and doubled as a reminder that winter emergencies often hinge on fast action from both trained first responders and nearby good Samaritans. Authorities continue to warn that ice thickness on local ponds is unpredictable and say the safest bet is to stay off the ice entirely unless conditions have been confirmed safe.
