Mother Dives Into Frozen Pond to Rescue Three Sons; All Three Drown After Falling Through Ice

Three brothers—ages 6, 8 and 9—died after falling through the ice on a private pond near Bonham in north Texas on Monday, Jan. 26, during a severe winter storm.

“Authorities say three brothers died in Texas after falling through ice on a pond as a massive winter storm has gripped much of the nation”

Associated Press

Local and county officials said the boys fell into the frozen pond while staying at a friend's house across the street.

Associated Press

Family members and local reports identified the children as Howard (6), Kaleb (8) and EJ (9).

The incident occurred amid a widespread winter storm that affected large parts of the region.

Their mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, told reporters she had warned the children to stay away from the pond and ran onto the ice when alerted by her daughter, but she said she "locked up" in the freezing water and could not save them as the ice repeatedly broke.

Multiple witnesses and outlets described her frantic attempts and the moment bystanders pulled her to safety with a rope while a nearby high-school coach assisted at the scene.

BBC

First responders and neighbors pulled the two older boys from the pond and began life-saving measures.

“A Texas community is grieving after three young brothers died in a heartbreaking accident during the brutal winter storm that swept across much of the U”

Beliefnet

Those two were taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

The youngest was recovered after an extensive search and also did not survive.

Local school officials said the boys were students in the Bonham Independent School District.

The district canceled classes and announced counselors would be available for students and staff.

Reporting tone and emphasis vary across news sources.

Mainstream outlets such as CBS News, The Independent, and lbc.co.uk present facts alongside community grief and official details.

CBS News

Local outlets like WRAL and wccsradio emphasize public-safety warnings about trusting ice and the area's cold hazards.

Alternative or tabloid outlets — including The Mirror US, Daily Express, and Newsner — add emotive details and sometimes more graphic personal recollections.

Some international outlets such as the-star.co.ke and Kahawatungu highlight the mother's plea and urge families to hold children close.

Community reaction has been one of mourning and calls for caution.

“Three brothers havedied after falling into an icy pondas awinter stormbatters parts of the United States”

Daily Express

School officials canceled classes and offered counseling.

Daily Express

Neighbors and a high-school coach assisted at the scene, and local leaders and the superintendent described the loss as profound.

Across reports, survivors' recollections, official statements and media frames differ in emphasis, but all sources depict a grieving family and community reeling from a preventable winter-weather tragedy.