Girls help rescue two people who fell through ice at Sawmill Pond

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two people and their dogs are safe after being rescued after falling through the ice at Sawmill Pond on Sunday.

Chris Bloch, his two daughters Coral Dawn-Bloch and Sequoia Dawn-Bloch, and their friend Kaiya Catalan were driving by Sawmill when Coral noticed people on the ice. She commented how unsafe the ice was, and in under a minute the people fell through. They had gone onto the ice to rescue their dogs.

A girl on the shore flagged down the Blochs and asked for help, and the family called 911 to give the exact locations as Chris, Coral, and Sequoia were able to use sticks and sleds to get the man and the woman out of the water. The dogs were able to get on shore.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) arrived with an ambulance and rescue personnel. The two that had fallen through the ice were transported to Barton for further evaluation and possible hypothermia, according to LVFPD Captain Martin Goldberg. He said the dogs left the scene in the care of animal control until their owners were released.

"All three kids were calm and helpful throughout the ordeal," said proud mom Jen Dawn. "They gave their jackets to the victims and wrapped up their extremities while they waited for the ambulance. I cannot express how proud I am of my family for being able to spring into action and save two lives today."

Engine 7 Captain Gasporra honored the girls by giving them challenge coins.