Dogs drowned after falling through ice
Published 18 Feb 2012 10:00
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TWO dogs drowned in the Olympic rowing lake after falling through ice.
Firefighters were called to Dorney Lake twice on Saturday by helpless dog owners who watched in horror as their pets fell through cracks in the ice.
The first call of a 'dog unaccounted for in the frozen lake' in Court Lane was at 12.20pm.
Crews from Slough, Langley and Beaconsfield, as well as the water safety unit, attended and searched the lake, but could not find the dog.
Less than two hours later, at 2.06pm, crews from Maidenhead, Gerrards Cross, High Wycombe and the water safety unit were called back to Dorney Lake after a second dog fell through the ice.
Firefighters searched the lake and recovered the dog's body.
Firefighter Paul Strudwicke from Maidenhead station, said: "Once they had fallen through a crack in the ice they were unable to climb out.
"It is important for dog owners not to try to go in and rescue them because of the water conditions, they could become the victim."
On the same day, firefighters rescued a horse stuck in a frozen lake in Fulmer. The horse was stuck in about 5ft of water, 15ft from the edge of the lake in Hay Lane and was rescued uninjured.
Only days before, firefighters were called to Burnham Beeches after a dog fell through ice into a lake.
The dog was rescued from the lake and firefighters from Gerrards Cross gave safety advice to the owners.
Following the incident, firefighters issued a warning urging residents to take extra care near frozen waterways.
Chris Bailey, Buckinghamshire Fire And Rescue Service's community safety manager, said: "There are extra hazards to look out for at this time of year, and we are urging people to keep their dogs on leads near frozen waterways."
He added: "If you see an incident on the ice, call the emergency services straight away.
"Do not attempt to go out on to the ice yourself. Rescues of this kind are by no means easy - even for firefighters, who are properly trained and equipped to deal with them."
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