The boys had been missing for hours before their bodies were located in the icy waters, officials said
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NEED TO KNOW
- Emmett Bennett and Talon Michael Wayne Whinery fell through thin ice on Bird Creek near Avant, Okla. on Feb. 7
- Both boys, who were friends and classmates, were pronounced dead at the scene
- The Osage County Sheriff’s Office cautions against walking on frozen bodies of water during frigid temperatures
Two young boys from Oklahoma drowned after falling through thin ice on a creek.
The boys fell through thin ice covering Bird Creek, near their hometown of Avant, Okla., on Feb. 7, according to a statement issued by the Osage County Sheriff's Office. At 7:13 p.m local time on Feb. 7, the OCSO received a 911 call from residents that they had located the body of one of the boys in the water. Both had been reported missing for several hours prior to the 911 call, police said.
"The child was immediately removed from the water, and lifesaving measures were initiated. Despite those efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the scene," the statement read.
The boys were identified as Talon Michael Wayne Whinery and Emmett Bennett in separate GoFundMe fundraisers established to assist their families with funeral costs and other expenses.
According to the GoFundMe created for Whinery's family, the boy's grandfather located his body. "His grandpa and his uncle found him, pulled him out of Bird Creek, and immediately began CPR, but our baby boy was not responsive and was pronounced dead at the scene," the fundraiser description reads. "Our hearts are shattered and it feels unreal… Please help us give him a beautiful procession and a celebration of his life. Anything will help us through this heartbreaking accident… RIP our loving baby boy, Talon Michael Wayne Whinery…"
The body of Emmett, who was nine years old, was not recovered until several hours later. "Dozens of emergency personnel worked for several hours utilizing ground teams, aerial drones, a specialized rescue boat, and dive teams. At approximately 11:30 p.m., the second victim was located and recovered," per the OCSO's statement.
"The Osage County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire Avant community during this unimaginable loss. Incidents involving children are among the most difficult situations first responders face, and this tragedy has deeply impacted everyone involved," the OCSO wrote.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Underwater Recovery Team, Tulsa Fire Department’s Oklahoma Task Force One Search and Rescue Team, Avant, Skiatook, and Barnsdall Fire Departments, Survival Flight EMS, and other first responders all assisted with recovering the boys' bodies from the water.
In the description for the GoFundMe created for Emmett's family, a friend of Emmett's father shared that the family's "world has been turned upside down."
"In the midst of their grief, Lance and Kendra are now faced with unexpected expenses and the need to take time away from work to begin healing. The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward covering funeral costs and providing them with the financial support they need to take the time to grieve without added stress," the description continues.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two young boys who fell through thin ice on Bird Creek near Skiatook," the Country Corner Fire Department, who also assisted with the recovery mission, wrote in a statement shared on social media. "Our entire community grieves with their families, friends, and all who are hurting. We extend our deepest condolences during this unimaginable time."
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Avant Public School, where the boys were reportedly students, issued a statement on social media following their deaths.
"Our hearts are broken today as we grieve alongside our families and community," the statement read. "Our focus at this time is on caring for our students, staff, and families with compassion and sensitivity during this incredibly difficult period."
Osage County Sheriff's Office
Caney Valley School District sent a letter to students' families regarding the tragic deaths, per local outlet News 9. "It is with deep sadness that we share the news that a student from our elementary school passed away last night as a result of a drowning," the letter began. "This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with the student’s family during this very difficult time."
The boys' deaths remain under investigation. PEOPLE has reached out to OCSO, CCFD, APS, and CVSD for further comment.
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