Jason, Saved From Frozen Pond, Is 'Doing Well': Officials

NEW HARMONY, UT — The 8-year-old Utah boy who pulled from a frozen pond by a sheriff's deputy on Christmas is conscious and doing well, officials said.

Lt. David Crouse of the Washington County Sheriff's Office said the family is thankful for prayers they've received and have described the rescue as "a Christmas miracle."

Officials said Wednesday afternoon that the little boy, identified only by his first name Jason, is coherent and has been responding to questions from staff at a Salt Lake City hospital.

Washington County sheriff's Sgt. Aaron Thompson rescued the boy by punching and stomping his way through the ice. Thompson says rescuers believed the boy was in the cold water for about 30 minutes.

According to a report from the sheriff's office, the boy dashed onto the lake following his dog Monday night. Another child saw the boy break through the ice and plunge into the water below, the report said.

Thompson broke a path into the ice and travelled about 25 feet from the shore before he dove in and rescued the child, according to sheriff's Lt. David Crouse.

The boy fell through the ice in the town of New Harmony, in southwestern Utah.

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