EASTHAM, MA — A woman died after falling through ice at First Encounter Beach on Saturday morning, and authorities are searching for her husband who is believed to have also fallen through the ice.
The Eastham Police Department received a report of a loose dog in distress in the beach parking lot at 9:07 a.m.
An officer arriving at the scene heard a woman screaming for help in the area of Bee’s River and located her in the water after she had fallen through the ice.
The officer went onto the ice and attempted to pull the woman out, but the ice gave way and both the officer and woman were completely submerged.
A second officer arrived and observed the first officer attempting to pull himself back onto the ice.
The second officer attempted to reach the location where the woman had entered the water, but the ice gave way and he fell into the water up to his waist.
Both officers successfully made it back to shore.
Members of the Eastham Fire Department initiated rescue efforts upon arrival.
The two officers who entered the water were transported to Cape Cod Hospital for evaluation.
The Barnstable County Technical Rescue Team and Dive Team was activated, and divers entered the water to search for the woman.
An on-scene investigation revealed the woman may have been walking with her husband and dog.
Based on items located in their vehicle and a check of their residence, authorities determined the husband may have fallen through the ice prior to the officer’s arrival.
The Technical Rescue Team located the woman under the ice at 11:12 a.m.
She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Technical Rescue Team is continuing to search the water for the husband.
