Indianapolis Man Dies After Trying To Rescue Dog From Icy Pond

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A man has died after trying to rescue his dog who went out onto an icy pond at a northeast side apartment Monday afternoon, the Indianapolis Fire Department said. According to fire officials, emergency crews were called to the Masters Apartments located in the 7000 block of PGA Drive just after noon. Upon arrival, two IFD Tactical Dive Team members were able to locate the man 15 feet under the cold water, 30 feet from shore, before bringing him in and starting CPR, IFD said.

"We are sad to report that the man pulled from the pond at The Masters Apartments did not survive and was pronounced deceased at St. Vincent Hospital," IFD Public Information Officer Rita Reith said, in a release. Reith added that the male victim was in his 20s, was a resident of the complex and had lived there for several years.

According to IFD, Scott Filchak, 32, is a resident of the complex who was in his car, leaving the complex when he noticed the dog on the ice and the man trying to rescue it. Mr. Filchak got out of his car, yelled to the man to lay down before getting in the water and falling through the ice. He then got out before trying a second time.

Another resident, Meroune Baoch, 31, heard commotion and ran over to help. He also got in, threw a rope bag to victim before falling through the ice and getting out.

According to a release, the dog that was in the water is "perfectly fine after getting out of the water on his own," Reith said. The victim's two dogs are pictured, one of which got in the water.

The name of the victim or the cause of death have not been revealed yet.

Both of the men who attempted to rescue the victim were checked out on scene by IFD and IEMS Medics and released, before going on their own to get checked at Community North, Reith said.

Images via IFD