Cheyenne Hangaman 3 young sons die after falling through icy pond in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas as the mom had warned the boys to stay clear during the winter storm. Mom jumped in after her sons, nearly drowning herself as mom shares heartbreaking loss.
Three young brothers died Monday after falling through an icy pond north of Bonham, Fannin County, Texas, during a winter storm according to multiple local and state agencies.
Two of the boys, ages 8 and 9, were pulled from the water by a neighbor and first responders. Medical care was immediately administered before the children were taken to a local hospital by ambulance.
Mom risks her own life in desperate bid to save her 3 young sons from icy pond
The 6-year-old did not resurface but was later recovered after an extensive search of the pond. All three children were pronounced dead, KDFW reported.
The victims were identified as brothers Howard, 6; Kaleb, 8; and E.J., 9, according to their mother, Cheyenne Hangaman.
The mother also going by the name of Chey Elaine Bush on social media described trying to save her sons, saying that there was nothing she could do.
The mom said Howard, the youngest brother, went underwater first with the boys older brothers jumping in to help him.
‘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.’
Mom describes almost drowning in desperate bid to save her 3 young sons
Hangaman said a coach also tried to help the boys out of the freezing water. The mother eventually had to be pulled out by a neighbor.
‘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,’ the mother said.
The brothers official cause of death is now pending an autopsy.
Speaking to Shannon Murray of KDFW, Cheyenne Hangaman said she’d been staying at a friend’s house near Bonham Lake with her three sons. At some point the boys had approached the pond in the back yard, despite the mother warning the siblings to stay away only not to listen and fall in. Cheyenne described running over and jumping in the icy water to try and get them. She almost drowned herself.
The parent said she wanted to share the story as a warning to other parents and a reminder of how quick something tragic can happen in treacherous conditions
The Bonham Independent School District sent a letter to families Monday night addressing the deaths.
‘We are devastated by this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who knew and loved these children,’ the district said.
The district said counselors will be available to meet with students and staff this week.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
Bonham is 60 miles northeast of Dallas.
