Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnum reports that Acton Fire responded to and rescued five individuals who fell through thin, choppy ice Monday afternoon.
On Monday, Dec. 16, around 2:50 p.m., Acton Fire and Acton Police were dispatched to NARA Park after receiving 911 calls that multiple people had fallen through the ice. On arrival, the crew observed that several people had emerged from the pond. Those remaining walked out of the water under their own power.
According to a film crew member interviewed by Channel 7 News,, the incident was the result of a group of intrepid film-makers working on a zombie movie. An actor in a kayak accidentally tipped the boat and fell into the water, and co-workers tried to help get the actor out of the water.
Town Manager John Maniaratti told the Acton Exchange, “I am glad to hear that everyone is ok after the film crew incident at the pond at NARA. Acton is a beautiful and unique setting and we have several films that are produced here each year. One of many economic development initiatives undertaken last year was to create a film permit process to help expedite the approvals that are needed for a film production. We have had four productions in the last 3 months using historic homes, our police station, and beautiful NARA Park. There are a few other films that are planning to come out here soon.”
Several individuals were taken to local hospitals for cold exposure and treatment. They are all expected to fully recover. The Acton Police Department also came to the scene as first responders, and the Westford Fire Department provided mutual aid ambulance service.
Reminder: Icy waterways in Acton are, at this time, absolutely not safe for any human activities including walking, skating, fishing, etc.
Chief Arnum reminds residents of the following safety tips regarding ice and cold weather safety from Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife:
- Before heading out, tell someone your plans and where you are going.
- Be vigilant. No natural ice is 100 percent safe, and many factors can impact ice strength.
- Avoid walking on ice-bound rivers or other bodies of water, as currents can make ice thickness unpredictable and dangerous.
- Do not drive any kind of vehicle, including cars or snowmobiles, over the ice. The additional weight from the vehicle can cause the ice to crack faster.
Rescue tips: Falling through the ice
- If you fall through the ice, do not panic.
- Turn back towards the direction you came from as the ice that is previously walked on should be the safest.
- If someone else falls through the ice, follow the actions Preach-Reach-Throw-Go:
- Preach – Call 911 if possible and let the victim know help is on the way.
- Reach – If it is safe to reach the victim from shore, extend a sturdy object for the victim to grab.
- Throw – If it is safe to do so, toss the end of a rope or a flotation device to the victim.
- Go – If a situation becomes too dangerous, go find help as untrained rescuers can often become victims.
Acton Fire also reminds residents that in the event of an emergency, call 911.