A Texas mother has recounted the devastating moment she tried to save her three young sons who died after falling through an icy pond during a brutal winter storm.
Cheyenne Hangaman told it local TV channel Fox4 she “just couldn’t make it” from the boys — ages 6, 8 and 9 — who were found wandering Monday on a frozen pond behind a friend’s house in Fannin County, near the Oklahoma border. She was informed of the accident by the boys’ sister, who rushed to get help.
“I start running to the pond, jump in and I try to save them – I’m also trying to keep myself alive because the water is ice cold,” Hangaman told FOX 4. “Once I jump in, I like being locked up.”
“I could hardly do anything,” Hangaman said. “It was just one of me and three of them. And they all needed me at the same time and I couldn’t do it – I just couldn’t save them.”
Hangaman said she warned her boys to stay away from the pond, but her youngest ventured onto the ice anyway and fell through. His brothers ran to save him and charged after him.
“That’s how they all got there,” she said.
Hangaman said a local man — the head football coach at Bonham High School — heard the chaos, rushed to the scene and threw her a rope to get her to safety.
Several agencies from the area also responded, according to A press release from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office.
With the help of a neighbor, first responders pulled the two oldest boys from the icy water, provided medical attention and took them to a hospital by ambulance. The youngest was found after an extensive search in the pond.
“All three children are deceased,” the statement said.
Through tears, Hangaman shared heartfelt memories of her boys’ vibrant personalities and favorite passions.
“My oldest, EJ, only cared about football and his haircut,” she said. “Caleb’s personality was out of this world. He was the sweetest soul I ever met. And Howard, he was just goofy. He loved to light up the party. He was stubborn.”
A FOX 4 host said Hangaman shared her tragic experience in hopes other parents would heed the dangers of the icy conditions. A GoFundMe was established to help cover funeral costs. It raised more than $60,000 as of Tuesday evening.
The drownings occurred during winter storm Fern, which ravaged much of the US, killing more than 20 people and leaving thousands without power.
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