News

February 23, 2009

Details emerge about Abington pond rescue, deaths

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

NORTH ABINGTON TWP. - Two men, Willard Van Fleet Jr., and Mark Keene died Saturday afternoon, Feb. 21 while trying to rescue a girl and her mother who fell through the ice on Craig Pond in Dalton.

According to police reports, the girl, Alexandria, was trying to retrieve a ball on the ice when she went through. Van Fleet Jr., 36 of Factoryville, went into the water to rescue the girl. The girl’s mother, Nicole, went onto the ice to try and help lift Alexandria to safety, but also fell through.

Keene, Van Fleet’s stepfather, 55, of Dalton, then made his way to the pond with an aluminum ladder in an attempt to slide it to them to bring the three to safety. At this time rescue units from Dalton and Scott Township fire departments arrived on the scene and were able to get Nicole and Alexandria out of the water, just before Van Fleet, went under, beneath the ice.

Once the two were brought out of the water, Keene went into a cardiac arrest and was brought to CMC hospital along with Nicole and Alexandria.

At 3:53 p.m. divers came to surface with Van Fleet’s body and he was immediately transported to the hospital.

Keene and Van Fleet were both pronounced dead at the hospital.

Nicole and Alexandria requested that their last names not be used.

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