City workers save boys from icy pond

Two boys were pulled from the icy waters of the pond at Legion Park by city workers avoiding what could have been a much worse tragedy, possibly even drowning deaths.

Heroic action by city employee Tom VonSeggern and four other city employees, very possibly saved the life of two brothers, Friday afternoon in Sidney.

Around 3:30 p.m. two children, whose names have not been released, fell through the ice and into the pond at the local park, according to information from Sidney Police Chief Mike Brown.

Luckily the city workers were in the park area with one witnessing the accident occur, then rushing to aid in rescuing the children.

Brown was told that the what led up to the accident was the two brothers’ dog ran out onto the ice covered pond.

One child went out to retrieve his pet and fell through the ice; his brother attempting to rescue the boy who was submerged, fell in after.

VonSeggern, who witnessed the accident, rushed out onto the ice and into the water to help rescue the boys from drowning.

City employees James Harmon, who had heard about the incident from the emergency communications scanner after eye witness citizens had called in the emergency call, then he also responded and also went waist deep into the water while other Parks employees Harlind Shields, Rob Roderick and Steven Waller helped pull the one remaining boy and VonSeggern out of the water with a rope.

Officials commenting after the episode said that when VonSeggern saw the boys go down he immediately headed out onto the ice in an attempt to rescue them.

He too went into the water but was able to move the boys toward the shore where Harmon was in the water to help get them to the other workers who pulled them from the pond.

Everyone was able to get out of the water and are now safe, said Brown, who visited the four in the hospital following the event.

“Everybody is fine. The two kids and two adults were transported to the hospital just to get warmed up and to make sure everything was okay,” Brown said. All four were in the cold water and transporting them to the hospital was also a safety precaution.

Contacted Friday evening, Sidney City Manager Gary Person praised the efforts of the employees in putting their lives on the line to rescue the children.

“We are truly proud of their efforts. It shows what kind of men they are. Tom (Von Seggren) showed his true bravery going out to attempt to save the young brothers.

“That speaks so well of all of them and the type of people they really are. They are truly dedicated and work very hard. This shows their true mettle.

“I also understand that later in the evening the two boys and the parents sought out Tom VonSeggern at the hospital to embrace him and thank him for his brave efforts,” Person added.

From several sources, the unanimous opinion of those at the scene and others acquainted with the facts it’s quite likely the workers’ efforts saved the lives of the young boys.

In the end, the dog is fine. It never did get into the water.

“Thank God everyone is safe and now home. That’s what is important,” Person said.

­– Hank Bond contributed to this story.