Two Boys Rescued After Falling Through Ice into the Taunton River

TAUNTON – Two 14-year-old boys are expected to be okay after being rescued from the Taunton River by three good Samaritans and four Taunton Police officers after the boys had fallen through the ice Thursday.

According to a joint release by the Taunton police and fire departments, at approximately 2 p.m. this afternoon, Taunton resident Kevin Boss, age 54, was driving in the area of County Street and Ingell Street when he noticed two boys that were in the Taunton River. One of the boys was trying to swim to shore while the other was struggling to stay afloat.

Boss pulled over and grabbed a rope from this vehicle. Simultaneously, two Taunton School Department employees, Assistant Storekeeper Nick DaCosta and Community Facilitator Lynne Farina, also saw the boys and both pulled their vehicles over to help.

A short time later, Taunton Police Officer Daniel Williams, Officer Matt Travers, Officer Brendan Canary and Captain Daniel McCabe arrived on the scene.

The seven adults used the rope to safely pull the boys ashore.

The Taunton Fire Department responded quickly to the scene and transported the boys via ambulance to Morton Hospital to be evaluated. The boys are expected to be okay.

It is believed that the boys were in the water for approximately five minutes.

In the release, Police Chief Edward Walsh praised the efforts of his officers and the good Samaritans who helped pull the boys to safety.

"This was a fantastic job by the people who stopped and our officers who helped to get these boys out of the water quickly," Chief Walsh said. "Thankfully, it appears that the boys are going to be alright."

Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw echoed Chief Walsh's sentiments and also warned that it is never safe to step on thin ice.

"Thankfully these boys weren't seriously hurt and the people who stopped to help should be considered heroes," Chief Bradshaw said.