11-year-old boy rescued in Holly Springs after falling in iced-over pond
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- Holly Springs Police officer entered an ice-covered pond and rescued an 11-year-old boy.
- Boy submerged over three minutes, kept warm in patrol vehicle and cleared by EMS.
- Police warned against walking on ice and praised bystander, EMS and Officer Evans.
An 11-year-old boy was rescued by a Holly Springs police officer after falling through an iced-over pond at Womble Park.
A bystander alerted Officer Percy Evans, who was patrolling the park, that a boy had fallen into the pond near the playground.
“Without hesitation, Officer Evans entered the icy pond and rescued the child,” according to the Holly Springs Police Department. “Witnesses stated the boy had been submerged in the cold water for more than three minutes prior to Officer Evans’ intervention.”
After he was rescued, the boy was kept warm in a patrol car, and both the child and Evans were evaluated and cleared by Emergency Management Services. The child was reunited with his parents, according to the Police Department.
“We are incredibly grateful that this situation unfolded the way it did, especially given the dangerous circumstances and extreme weather conditions,” Deputy Chief Jay Bruner said in a news release.
“This could have ended very tragically. Walking on iced-over ponds or lakes should never be considered part of winter fun; ice can be unpredictable and deadly,” he said. “We are thankful to the bystander who acted quickly to alert Officer Evans, to our Fire and EMS partners for their rapid response, and most of all to Officer Evans for his bravery and unwavering commitment to protecting life, even at great personal risk.”
This story was originally published January 31, 2026 at 4:14 PM.
