Bystander Rescues 3 Kids From Icy Pond, Deputies Bring One Back To Life With CPR

January 11, 2022

Three children survived after falling through an icy pond, thanks to a couple of bystanders and first responders.

woman saves kids from icy pond
Dusti Talavera / KMGH

Four children between the ages of 4 and 11 were playing on an icy pond at The Addison at Cherry Creek apartments in Arapahoe, Colorado, when three of the children fell through the ice.

That's when 23-year-old Dusti Talavera jumped into the pond.

"I was looking out my window and saw a couple of kids walking on the ice pond. A few seconds later, I saw them fall in," said Talavera during a press conference Monday.

She pulled two of the three children out before falling into the freezing water herself.

"Before I even realized it, I was out there on the middle of the pond pulling two kids out. That's when I fell in."

woman saves kids from icy pond

A 16-year-old boy arrived moments later and jumped into the pond and helped pull out Talavera and the 6-year-old girl.

"I tried to hold her head up, I tried to hold my head up, the pond was really deep (15 ft). A young man threw us a rope. He pulled us out," Talavera said.

Deputies said Talavera told them, "she wasn't concerned for her safety because they were babies and they needed help."

When deputies arrived on the scene, the 6-year-old girl was not breathing, was not conscious, and had no pulse. Deputy David Rodriguez removed her coat and immediately began chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Also assisting in life-saving CPR were Deputy Blaine Moulton and Deputy Justin Dillard. This continued until South Metro Fire Rescue arrived and took over.

The 6-year-old was taken to Children's Hospital breathing and with a pulse. She is listed in stable condition at this time, the sheriff's office said.