Home / Disasters and Accidents / Frozen Rescue: Man and Dog Saved from Icy Depths
Frozen Rescue: Man and Dog Saved from Icy Depths
27 Sep
Summary
- A dog plunged through ice, leading its owner into a frozen canal.
- A stranger risked his life, using his truck to pull them out.
- The rescue over 20 years ago forged an enduring friendship.
More than 20 years ago, Eric Green and his dog Copper faced a near-fatal ordeal when they fell through the ice of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Hopewell, New Jersey. Copper's pursuit of ducks led him through the ice, and Green followed to save his pet, only to find himself submerged in the frigid water.
Struggling for about 15 minutes, Green became weak and numb, fearing he would die. Fortunately, Kevin Phillips was driving nearby and noticed the distress. Phillips initially attempted to throw Green a rope, but Green’s frozen hands couldn't grip it.
On his third attempt, Phillips secured the rope to his truck and then around his own waist, successfully pulling Green to shore. He then returned to rescue Copper. The dramatic rescue forged an unlikely friendship between Green and Phillips, who began visiting and communicating regularly despite living about 100 miles apart.
