A Winter Walk Gone Wrong
When EMT Ed Berger took his dogs Tommy and Oscar for a walk by Lake Waban in Wellesley, a peaceful afternoon turned into a life-threatening emergency. Tommy, chasing birds on the frozen lake, crashed through the ice. In his attempt to save his pet using a nearby boat, Berger also ended up in the freezing water.
Heroes in Action
The Wellesley Fire Department’s response showcased textbook ice rescue techniques. Drone footage captured rescuers following critical safety protocols – staying low to distribute weight and using expert lifting techniques to extract Berger from below, allowing him to spread his weight across the ice’s surface.
Lessons from the Ice
The rescue highlights essential ice safety principles:
- Rescuers stay prone or kneeling to prevent further ice breaks
- Victims should be lifted from below rather than pulling themselves up pool-style
- If alone, use flat arms on ice and inch forward like a seal
- Always crawl away from the break point on your stomach
Professional Becomes Patient
The rescue carried a unique twist – Berger, typically the rescuer as an EMT, found himself on the receiving end of emergency services. He later praised his rescuers, noting he was “hanging out with two guys who knew exactly what they were doing.”
Both Berger and Tommy received treatment for hypothermia and made complete recoveries, turning a potentially tragic story into a powerful reminder about ice safety and professional rescue expertise.