Boy dies after saving friend from icy Queens pond, NYPD says

An 11-year-old boy died on Tuesday after he saved his friend who fell through an icy Forest Park pond in Queens, police said.

Anthony Perez, of Queens, was able to push his 12-year-old friend to the shore after he fell into the Strack Pond about 50 feet from shore shortly before 4 p.m., but he couldn’t get out himself, according to police and FDNY Deputy Chief George Healy.

The other boy alerted authorities when he got to the shore, and firefighters were on the scene within four minutes, Healy said.

“They had to break though the ice so they could get to the area where they knew the child would most likely be in,” he said of the rescue during a news conference in the park.

Three firefighters, who were not wearing cold-weather suits, got into the water at “chest-deep” levels and were able to rescue Perez, but he was not breathing. They immediately administered CPR and revived him, Healy said.

Perez was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to cops. The city medical examiner’s office will determine his cause of death.

Two firefighters were also transported to the hospital for treatment of hypothermia, Healy said.

Last month, the FDNY and Department of Parks and Recreation urged New Yorkers to be cautious and not traverse the 96 ponds located in city parks during icy conditions. The deputy chief reiterated those warnings to parents Tuesday evening.

“There’s signs around all these lakes in the city,” Healy said. “Make sure your kids know the ice in the city of New York, on these lakes and ponds that are out, they are not safe. It won’t support your weight.”