BONHAM, Texas (AP) — In a devastating incident, three brothers aged 6, 8, and 9 lost their lives after falling into a freezing pond in Bonham, Texas, as a fierce winter storm swept through the region. Their mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, recounted the terrifying moments, stating, They were just screaming, telling me to help them. And I watched all of them struggle, struggle to stay above the water. I watched all of them fight. On the day of the incident, the boys fell through the ice while playing near the pond, which is located across the street from a friend's house where the family was staying.
Despite her warning to keep away from the icy water, Hangaman's children were drawn to it. She received the horrible news from her youngest daughter that the boys had fallen in. I ran across as much ice as I could to get to them and eventually ended up falling in myself, she said. The freezing water shocked her body immediately.
Emergency responders and neighbors tried to rescue the boys, with the two older siblings pulled from the water shortly after. The youngest boy's body was recovered after an extensive search of the pond.
All three brothers were students at the Bonham Independent School District, which had canceled school that Monday due to severe cold snap affecting the region. The district remained closed on Tuesday as icy conditions persisted.
Superintendent Lance Hamlin expressed condolences on behalf of the school, stating, We are devastated by this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who knew and loved these children. Community members have gathered to support the grieving family during this tragic time.
Amid the ongoing winter storm, more than 40 deaths have been reported across the United States due to the extreme cold, raising concerns about public safety in such severe weather conditions.
