Illinois Man Dies Trying To Save Child Who Fell Into Frozen Pond

A man died trying to save a child who accidentally fell into a frozen pond in Illinois, according to authorities.

The Lincoln Fire Protection District said it responded to the scene near the town of Charleston at around 8 a.m. Saturday after getting a call about two people falling into the icy pond.

One of the two victims, a 10-year-old girl named Ma'Liyah White, was reportedly trying to rescue a trio of dogs when she accidentally fell into the ice-covered pond. A family member, identified as 31-year-old Carlos Serafin-Avalos, went after the child but fell through the ice as well, reported Daily Eastern News.

When first responders arrived within 10 minutes after the phone call, they found "two occupants under the ice." Rescuers jumped into the pond with cold-water suits and "began an aggressive search," the Lincoln Fire Protection District's noted in a press release posted on Facebook.

Both victims were pulled from the icy water along with the three dogs within half an hour, firefighters said, as per Charlotte Observer. The Lincoln Fire Protection District said none of the first responders were injured in the rescue mission.

The two victims were taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care. Unfortunately, Serafin-Avalos was declared dead. The child, on the other hand, remains hospitalized.

Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers told WTHI News 10 Serafin-Avalos' autopsy has been planned for Tuesday.

Amanda Beals, who identified herself as the child's aunt in a Facebook post, said Serafin-Avalos "died a hero."

"He loved these girls more than words can say," Beals noted.

She told WCIA they want Serafin-Avalos to be remembered as a great family man and human being.

Beals also set up a GoFundMe page for the family to offset funeral and medical expenses following the incident. According to her, the girl has no brain activity and has been having seizures.

An update about the child's condition on the fundraiser read, "We know Ma'Liyah doesn't have any fractures in her legs or anyplace else. Her brain has started to swell a little bit which we expected with this type of trauma. Carlos’s family has made it safely to IL and from all of our families we can not thank each of you enough for the prayers and donations and offerings and everything in between … Please continue the prayers."