Teen who fell in icy Parker pond has died

A teenager who fell into an icy Parker retention pond has died, Denver7 has confirmed with the Parker Police Department.

Fire crews and officers responded to Meadowood Lane, near Tallman Drive and Hilltop Road, around 4:30 p.m. Thursday because of a neighbor's 911 call.

Mayor Mike Waid wrote on Facebook just before 8 p.m. that one of the three Legend High School students that went into the water did not survive. A second teen is in very critical condition at Children's Hospital in Aurora, Waid wrote.

The teenager who died was under the ice several minutes longer than the other two -- 35 minutes in total, before firefighters could reach him.

Fire crews extended a tree branch for the second teen to grab ahold of once they arrived on scene. The third boy pulled himself to safety. Paramedics rushed both of these teens to Parker Adventist Hospital immediately but according to the mayor, the second teen was eventually airlifted to Children's.

"Please pray for them, their friends and families. Please tell those around you how much you love them and hold your family a little tighter tonight," Mayor Waid wrote.

Another image of the broken ice as crews rescued a child from under the ice in Parker earlier. @DenverChannel pic.twitter.com/AISrNmzobe

— Eric Lupher (@EricLupher7) January 15, 2016

Rescuers, themselves, had to rotate in and out of the water because of the frigid temperatures.

Police say a thin layer of ice covers this pond.

Just this week, Denver Parks and Recreation warned residents to stay away from lakes and ponds in order to save lives. As temperatures fluctuate, ice loses its strength. Pets should be kept on leashes to prevent them from reaching the ice, as well. 

Douglas County Schools said in a statement that they'll support students through this tragedy:

 "We are incredibly sad to learn of the passing of one of our students involved in Thursday's ice rescue in Parker. The student attended Legend High School, along with the two other boys involved in the rescue. The DCSD family is keeping these boys and their families in our thoughts.

We recognize this will be a very difficult time for our students, staff and families. We will have our district crisis team at Legend High School tomorrow beginning at 8 a.m. for anyone who may need support."

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