A Fond du Lac man's quick actions may have saved two kids from drowning Sunday morning in a detention pond.
The Good Samaritan was riding his bike along Martin Avenue when he looked over and saw two kids fall through the ice right underneath a bridge. You can see by the footprints two kids went from leisurely walking on the ice to suddenly plunging into the dangerously cold water of the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds storm water detention pond.
"I'm just glad they're safe," said Dave Twohig.
They're safe all thanks to Twohig taking matters into his own hands. Right after he saw the young siblings fall in and scream for help, he flagged down a driver to call 911 before jumping in after them. Twowig said the pond was about 6 feet deep where he rescued a brother and sister. Both kids who are around 10 years old couldn't swim.
"I'm guessing (the ice was) about an inch, not more than that, not much more," Twohig said.
Safe ice thickness for walking or ice fishing is no less than 4 inches and 8 inches for driving.
Back at the detention pond, Twowig said fire and rescue crews arrived right when he got the kids to shore. Both were treated on scene without even needing to go to the hospital.
"I didn't know how to react, I'm just happy for the family," Twohig said.
While Twowig doesn't think much of his actions, the Fond du Lac Fire Department is already hailing him a hero.
"If the citizen wasn't passing by at the moment the kids went into the pond, it could have been a very different outcome," said Lt. Curt Smits.
Twowig hopes this serves as a reminder, especially after such a mild December.
"If you see open water, stay off of it, please do because you don't need to risk your life for anything," he said.
