A dramatic rescue unfolded in Epping Forest on Sunday afternoon after two men fell through the ice on a frozen lake while attempting to save a pet dog.
The Icy Plunge at Connaught Water
The incident occurred at Connaught Water at approximately 2:20pm on Sunday, January 5th. According to eyewitness accounts, one man initially ventured onto the ice after his dog, but quickly became trapped in the freezing water. A second man, acting as a rescuer, then attempted to reach him but also fell through the thin ice surface.
Footage captured by a local resident shows the perilous situation. The would-be rescuer can be seen carefully moving across the ice before it gives way. Despite his own predicament, he continued to struggle towards the first casualty, eventually helping to pull him towards the safety of the bank.
Eyewitness Account and Emergency Response
Ozgur Ontas, a Chingford resident who filmed the event, reported that the pair were in the icy water for at least ten minutes. He highlighted an ongoing issue at the location, stating, "It's problematic for dog walkers - it wasn't just this man, other people's dogs also went into the lake and ran on the ice. This could happen again."
Emergency services attended the scene, and both men were treated by ambulance crews. They were fortunate to escape without more serious injury from the hypothermia-inducing conditions.
Official Safety Warning Issued
In the wake of the incident, Gary Dyer, Watch Manager at Essex Fire and Rescue Service, issued a stark safety reminder. "We completely understand why people want to help in situations like this, but cold water can overwhelm the body very quickly," he said. "The safest thing to do is stay out of the water and call us - we have the training and equipment to respond safely."
This warning comes as the UK faces a renewed bout of wintry weather. The Met Office has issued several weather alerts for snow across parts of the country, including eastern and northern England, Wales, and Scotland. Forecast data suggests significant snowfall rates, with predictions of up to 2.7cm per hour in some areas in the early hours of Tuesday, January 7th, followed by further snow and rain midweek.
The event at Connaught Water serves as a critical reminder of the hidden dangers posed by frozen bodies of water, especially during periods of severe cold weather sweeping across the nation.
