Photo: gofundme
A 10-year-old boy Benjamin Luckett in Tennessee died on Sunday after saving his younger sister Abigail Luckett, 6, from a frozen pound.
Benjamin was pronounced dead at the emergency room.
The family’s pastor Stacey Stilgenbauer claimed the siblings were playing near a pond behind their home with another one of their brothers. While playing, Abigail fell into the frozen pond, Stacey toldFox 8.
gofundme
One brother called to their father Robert for help while Benjamin dove in to save his sister. The father was able to bring Abigail back to shore, but not his 10-year-old son.
“[Firefighters] said the best they could tell, [Benjamin] was trying to keep her above water,” Stacey said to Fox 8.
“So the bottom line is the bodies of water down here normally don’t freeze with enough thickness to support a person on it and it can be very dangerous,” Perkins added.
Jamie Stilgenbauer has been sharing updates about Abigail’s condition on Facebook along with photos of her recovery.
In an update on Tuesday shesharedthat Abigail is “off the ventilator” and “doing very well.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.
On Wednesday, Jamie said Abigail is now in a “regular room” and slowly getting assistance with walking.
“She needs assistance walking but they dont want her getting pneumonia so they are do a little at a time. She will remain on a strong antibiotic due to the pond water in her lungs could cause an infection,” Jamiewrote.
RELATED VIDEO: 12-Year-Old Molly Steinsapir, Whose Mom Chronicled Her Bike Injury, Dies: ‘Worst Nightmare’
The family friend added, “[Christine] thanks everyone and asks that you please get the word out warning parents and other children on ice covered ponds.”
AGoFundMepage has been set up to help with the funeral costs for Benjamin and hospital care for Abigail.
The GoFundMe has raised more than $19,000 toward its $25,000 goal.
source: people.com
