A Valentine’s Day outing ended in tragedy after a woman died and her husband disappeared when they reportedly fell through ice while walking their dog in Massachusetts.
According to authorities, police responded around 9 a.m. on Feb. 14 to reports of a loose dog in the parking area of First Encounter Beach in Eastham. The caller described the animal as wet and appearing distressed.
When officers arrived, they heard a woman screaming for help from the Bee’s River area. She had broken through the ice and fallen into the freezing water. One officer attempted a rescue but also plunged into the water when the ice collapsed beneath him. A second officer tried to assist and similarly fell through the unstable surface.
Both officers managed to return to shore and were later transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Fire department crews and specialized rescue teams, including a dive unit, launched a search operation. During the investigation, officials discovered evidence suggesting the woman had been walking with her husband and their dog. It is believed the husband may have fallen through the ice before authorities arrived.
Divers eventually located the woman’s body beneath the ice later that morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Search efforts for the missing husband continued the following day but were unsuccessful. Officials stated that recovery attempts will resume when ice conditions improve. The names of the victims have not been released at the family’s request.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation and search remain active.