First Posted: 3/13/2015
SIDNEY — Two county highway workers made a “heroic effort” to save the lives of two people trapped in an icy pond Thursday afternoon. But despite their efforts, a mother and son both died at area hospitals after being rescued.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Maurissa Bickford, 39, and her son, Noah Bickford, 3, died of their injuries.
Noah was first taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital, and then taken by CareFlight to Dayton Children’s Hospital. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
His mother was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead.
The tragic situation began when Shelby County Garage employees Zachary Rogers and Samuel Deatherage were doing road work in the area of Fort Loramie-Swanders and Scott roads. They spotted a small child lying on the ice of a small pond in the residential area and called it in to 911 at 1:53 p.m.
According to Sheriff John Lenhart, the workers pulled the boy from the ice and began CPR.
“They got a boat from a neighbor’s house and took it out and found the mother floating in the water,” Lenhart added.
Lenhart said the initial investigation revealed that Noah fell through an area of open water in the aerated pond, which was partially covered with ice.
“The mother went into the water and managed to get the boy out and onto the ice,” Lenhart said. “Then she ran into some trouble herself.”
CareFlight was initially called to the scene but was canceled en route, and the boy was taken by ambulance to Wilson Memorial Hospital. He was later transferred from the Wilson emergency room by CareFlight.
“I think he was sent to Dayton,” Lenhart said some three-and-a-half hours after the incident. “They’re still doing CPR on him. They make a decision after the body warms up on whether or not to continue.”
Sidney and Anna Fire departments’ personnel pulled the mother from the water and began CPR at the scene, which continued as she was transported by ambulance to Wilson. Rescue personnel reported to dispatchers during transport that she was in cardiac arrest.
“It was a rough day for deputy sheriffs and firemen,” Lenhart said. “And it was certainly a heroic effort by the highway workers. They were just out doing maintenance on the road, and they saw this and immediately ran in to help.”
The incident remains under investigation.
