10-Year-Old Tennessee Boy Dies While Trying To Save 6-Year-Old Sister From Frozen Pond

A 10-year-old Tennessee boy died while trying to save his 6-year-old sister, who fell into a frozen pond outside his house.

The tragic incident happened in Millington when Benjamin Luckett, 10, was playing with his two siblings outside their home Sunday morning. Benjamin’s sister 6-year-old Abigail Luckett slipped into an icy pond, following which the former sprung into action to rescue his sister. However, he did not survive, news outlet Commercial Appeal reported.

“At least three of the kids were down near the pond, my understanding is Abigail fell in and Benjamin jumped in to go after her,” Stacy Stilgenbauer, pastor of Leawood East Baptist Church, told the news outlet Fox8.

Benjamin jumped into the pond to rescue Abigail, while the third sibling rushed to get the parents. Robert Luckett, the children’s father, pulled Abigail out of the pond but could not get to his son. Christine Luckett, the children’s mother, called 911 and reported the incident, Stilgenbauer said.

Shelby County firefighters responded to the scene at around 11 a.m. (12 p.m. ET) and retrieved Benjamin from the pond. The temperature around the area was 14 degrees at that time. The children were rushed to the hospital, but Benjamin was pronounced dead. Abigail was taken off her ventilator Tuesday and continues to recover, reported NY Daily News.

“They said the best they could tell, Benjamin was trying to keep her above water. So, it’s an incredible sacrifice that he was willing to make to save his little sister,” Stilgenbauer said, Fox8 reported.

“We are experiencing very cold temperatures and heavy snow which is considered rare for this part of the Mid-South,” Brent Perkins, Shelby County Fire Department public information officer said. “This pond had begun to freeze on its surface and as far as we know, that was what attracted them to go out onto the sheet, likely out of curiosity.”

After the tragic incident, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning to the residents of the area to be careful around frozen ponds, lakes and pools. “The ice is not thick enough to support your weight. Stay safe during these hazardous winter days,” sheriff’s office said in the release.

The National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning for Central Tennessee on Wednesday 6 p.m. (7 p.m. ET) until 6 a.m. (7 a.m. ET) Thursday.