A heartbroken mother has described her frantic and ultimately unsuccessful efforts to save her three young sons after they plunged through ice on a frozen pond in Texas. The devastating incident occurred on Monday off Recreational Road in Bonham, Texas, claiming the lives of six-year-old Howard, eight-year-old Kaleb, and nine-year-old EJ.
Desperate Rescue Attempt in Freezing Waters
Cheyenne Hangaman, the boys' mother, immediately jumped into the icy water upon seeing her children fall through the thin ice covering a private pond. In emotional statements, she revealed how the extreme cold rendered her helpless almost instantly. "I tried to save them while also trying to keep myself alive. As soon as I jumped in, I locked up. I couldn't do anything," Cheyenne explained, describing the paralyzing effects of the freezing temperatures.
Community and Emergency Response
Other bystanders and emergency service personnel also entered the water in rescue attempts. Kaleb and EJ were pulled from the pond by first responders and a neighbour, with immediate medical care administered before transportation to a local hospital. Tragically, both were pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Howard, the youngest brother, did not resurface initially and was recovered later following an extensive search of the pond by multiple agencies.
According to the Fannin County Sheriff's Office, multiple local and state agencies responded to the emergency call for the three brothers. A spokesperson detailed the sequence of events, confirming that all three children were pronounced deceased despite the rapid response efforts.
Brothers' Fatal Chain of Events
Cheyenne revealed that Howard was the first to go under the water, with his older brothers Kaleb and EJ leaping in to attempt his rescue. This heartbreaking detail underscores the family bond that ultimately led to the triple tragedy. The siblings all attended the same school, where counselling services have been made available to students and staff affected by the loss.
A spokesperson for Bonham Independent School District expressed profound grief, stating: "We are devastated by this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who knew and loved these children."
Winter Storm Fern's Deadly Impact
The tragedy occurred amid Winter Storm Fern, which has battered the United States this week with severe winter conditions. Authorities confirmed that approximately thirty people, including the three brothers, have died in accidents associated with the extreme weather system. The storm's impact has been widespread, with fatalities also recorded in Arkansas, Michigan, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Among other incidents linked to the storm, seven people were killed and one seriously injured when a private business jet flipped and caught fire during takeoff in heavy snow at Bangor International Airport on Sunday evening, highlighting the dangerous conditions across multiple states.
Community Support and Fundraising
In the wake of the tragedy, the community has rallied to support the grieving family. A fundraising webpage created by Cheyenne's sister has raised more than $35,000 (approximately £25,000) to assist with expenses. The page describes the incident as "a terrible drowning accident" that has left the family and community in shock.
The combination of hazardous winter weather, thin ice on private ponds, and the instinctive reactions of both mother and children created a perfect storm of circumstances leading to this devastating outcome. As winter continues to affect regions across the United States, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by frozen bodies of water during extreme cold spells.
