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MAGNA — A 12-year-old remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday after falling through the ice covering an outdoor community swimming pool on Tuesday night.
Officials believe the boy was in the water for 15 to 20 minutes before he was found face down about 5 p.m., Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said. It was unclear whether the boy was under water the entire time.
The boy was playing with an 11-year-old friend near the closed Magna Recreation Center, 3250 S. 8400 West, Tuesday night, when he said he was going to jump the fence to go find a restroom, according to Hoyal.
"His friend told him not to, and within minutes he heard a loud noise and heard the young man screaming," Hoyal said. "He went, jumped the fence, went in to try to help his friend, but couldn't get him out of the water."
His friend told him not to, and within minutes he heard a loud noise and heard the young man screaming. He went, jumped the fence, went in to try to help his friend, but couldn't get him out of the water.
–Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal
The younger boy ran home to find his father, who called police and returned to the pool with his son, Hoyal said.
The pool was partially drained, Hoyal said. Crews found the boy floating in the water with the ice broken around him.
Firefighters who responded jumped in the pool to get the boy. Medical crews performed life-saving measures for about 30 minutes before he was taken by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital.
"We would recommend to anybody that's around the ice — especially this year, the temperatures have been warmer and the ice has been thinner in many areas — to be cautious," Hoyal said.
Contributing: Megan Marsden Christensen
