A couple fell through the ice on Bee’s River in Eastham, Massachusetts, while walking their dog Saturday morning, according to a statement from the local police department. Tragically, one member of the couple has died, and the other remains missing.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Officers responded to a report of a loose dog that appeared to be in distress. Upon arrival, an officer found a woman in the river screaming for help. When the officer attempted a rescue, the ice gave way, submerging both of them. A second officer similarly partially submerged when the ice broke again during a subsequent rescue attempt.
Both officers were transported to a nearby hospital after returning to shore. Rescue teams located the woman under the ice and she was pronounced dead at the scene. A six-hour search involving divers and an underwater remotely operated vehicle was initially conducted. The search resumed Sunday morning with a drone and on-foot teams, but has since been suspended.
Ongoing Investigation
Police determined it was possible the husband fell through the ice before the officer’s arrival, based on items found in their vehicle and a check of their residence. The search will resume when ice conditions allow for safe access for public safety personnel, according to the police department.
The couple’s names have not been released at the request of their family. The Eastham Police Department stated, “Our thoughts continue to be with the entire family in the aftermath of this tragic incident.”
Local network WCVB reports that community members have begun creating a memorial for the couple near Bee’s River. Resident Wanda McCutcheon expressed hope that the family knows the community is thinking of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the initial police response?
Officers were first called to the scene after someone reported a loose dog that was wet and “appeared to be in distress,” according to the Eastham Police Department.
What were the conditions during the rescue attempt?
The officer attempting the initial rescue and a second officer both fell through the ice. The first officer and the woman he was attempting to rescue were “completely submerged,” while the second officer was submerged up to his waist.
When might the search for the missing husband resume?
The search will resume “when changes to the ice conditions occur, allowing access for public safety personnel,” the police department said Sunday.
As the search for the missing husband remains suspended due to hazardous conditions, what role might community support play in helping the family cope with this tragedy?
