Three young brothers, all elementary school students, died Monday after falling into an icy pond in North Texas amid a winter blast, authorities and family members confirmed to Fox 4 News.
Posted on 01/27/2026 10:52:56 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
Three young brothers, all elementary school students, died Monday after falling into an icy pond in North Texas amid a winter blast, authorities and family members confirmed to Fox 4 News.
The Bonham Fire Department said first responders were called to a freezing pond in Fannin County, about 60 miles northeast of Dallas, where they found the boys in the water. Family identified the victims as brothers 6-year-old Howard, 8-year-old Kaleb and 9-year-old EJ.
The boys’ mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, told Fox 4 News about her desperate attempt to save her children.
“I started running toward the pond, and I jumped in. I tried to save them while also trying to keep myself alive,” Hangaman said.
“As soon as I jumped in, I locked up. I couldn’t do anything.”
A local high school football coach and a neighbor also tried to help at the scene. Hangaman said the coach attempted to reach the boys, and a neighbor pulled her out of the frigid water after she followed her sons in.
Reflecting on the tragedy, the mother said, “It was one of me and three of them, and they all needed me at one time. I just couldn’t... I couldn’t save them.”
In a letter to families on Monday, Bonham Independent School District officials called the deaths an “unimaginable loss.” They said the district is providing support for students, staff and the community.
Hangaman also shared memories of her sons’ personalities, describing EJ as a football-loving kid who liked haircuts, Kaleb as “the sweetest boy I ever met,” and Howard as “just goofy” — the youngest who went into the pond first.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Hangaman in the wake of her three sons' deaths. The fundraiser has raised over $17,000.
The Fannin County fire chief is expected to update the public later Tuesday as the investigation continues.
In a Tuesday statement posted to X, the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens expressed condolences. They thanked the Bonham Fire Department, the Bonham Police Department, Lamar County emergency responders, Fannin County Emergency Management, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and community members who assisted during the response.
May God comfort this family at this time of unspeakable loss.
Oh my.
Prayers for the family.
I can’t imagine.
Then in my hometown Frisco
16-year-old girl dead, another critically injured after Frisco sledding accident
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/16-year-old-girl-dead-sledding-accident-frisco/3973390/
How did they get onto the pond?
My problems are small.
I can’t even imagine living through that.
God, please help this family get through this, and accept those little ones into your arms.
Probably with their little feet.
God, please help this family get through this, and accept those little ones into your arms.
~~~~~
Amen.
RIP, in the arms of Jesus, sweet little angels.
“How did they get onto the pond?”
That’s what I’m wondering. Horrible tragedy, but what would prompt boys, or adults of any age to go into icy water on one of the coldest days of the year?
Whenever something bad happened to a neighbor kid, my father would debrief it. We always found out how it happened Newspaper articles would include details of how it happened.
Just horrible I cant imagine the horror this family is going through :(
Probably the youngest and least experinced fell or jumped in first, then the other two trying to save him/them.
They fell through the thin layer of ice.
My question is how did they get onto the ice
According to reports, including statements from their mother (Cheyenne Hangaman) shared with local media like FOX 4 News:The youngest boy (the 6-year-old) fell through the ice first and went underwater.
The two older brothers then jumped in to try to rescue him.
This led to all three ending up in the icy water.
~~~
The icy cap of the pond could’ve been snow covered...no idea.
So sad.
Media has been screaming worst winter storm ever for a week. Kids must have thought the ponds were froze over.
Walking on ice, guessing how thick and what it can support. Not the stuff for a 9 yo, the age of the oldest brother.
Was the surface frozen? Article doesn't say ...
People who don't really understand "winter" also don't understand "thin ice".
Was it cold enough for there to be ice in it? If so, they might have thought it would support them.
They are so young they probably had little or no practical experience with ice. Today’s kids don’t play outdoors anywhere near as much as kids in the past.
Yep ... thin ice may support you just long enough to get you into REAL trouble.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord ...
my guess is the youngest ran onto it and fell through and then each brother attempt to help him and also got stuck, which is exactly what happened with the mom who also almost died
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.