In the Karaidel district of Bashkiria, a man and his nine-year-old son faced a perilous crossing over a narrow ice channel along the river during a cold spell. The surface crackled and proved unstable beneath their weight, and without warning a hidden fissure opened, pulling the man under the frigid water. He fought to reach air as the current tugged at him, while the boy kept his composure, pulled out his phone, and called for help. He shouted for rescuers to respond, and onlookers nearby echoed the calls, ready to assist while awaiting trained teams to arrive. The river moved with a fierce current and the ice remained slick and treacherous; every moment mattered as responders prepared to intervene and preserve a life. According to the Ministry of Emergencies of the Republic, the incident underscored how quickly a routine crossing can become a life-threatening ordeal and how vital calm, clear communication is under pressure.
In a separate report, a 34-year-old man and his son attempted to cross the Ufa River on brittle ice when the layer cracked under their weight. The father slipped beneath the surface, fighting to reach air as the icy water dragged him downstream. The boy stayed calm, maintaining contact with emergency services and continuing to relay information as danger intensified. Witnesses heard the boy cry out for help and frantically signaled rescuers who were already on their way. Winds bit at exposed skin, water swirled beneath a deceptive crust, and fear spread among bystanders. Yet neighbours and bystanders remained ready to assist, while professional teams navigated the treacherous ice to reach the drowning man. The Ministry notes that swift, coordinated action by the public and responders can determine outcomes in these high-risk moments.
Three people plunged into the water and succeeded in pulling the drowning man to shore. He received immediate medical attention on the banks, his breathing monitored as the cold penetrated his clothing. The patient was transported to a hospital where doctors diagnosed hypothermia and began treatment to stabilize core temperature and restore vital functions. The operation highlighted rapid cooperation between bystanders and emergency responders, and the brave persistence of those who risked their own safety to save a life. The young helper who made the initial call was unharmed and remained under the care of relatives as the man’s condition stabilized, a reminder of the fragile line between luck and tragedy in winter crossings.
Earlier reports described a tragedy in the Kama region where a child stepped onto thin ice and went under the water. Rescue teams retrieved the child from the icy depths and handed him over to medical staff. Emergency room doctors attempted resuscitation for about an hour, but the child did not survive. The incident served as a stark reminder of how swiftly ice can fail and why vigilance near frozen waterways is essential for everyone, especially families with children who may be tempted to test the water during winter. The Ministry emphasizes that staying off uncertain ice and following safety advisories helps reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
In a separate incident in the Urals, an elderly man faced danger beneath the ice after a car incident. Rescue teams arrived, recovered the pensioner from beneath the surface, and delivered him to healthcare professionals. Despite the efforts of the medical team, the patient did not survive. Officials urged residents to heed warnings about ice thickness and to avoid crossing rivers and lakes when the ice appears uncertain, reinforcing that safety must come first during winter conditions. These events collectively underscore the constant need for caution, clear communication, and prepared response plans when waterways harden over in cold weather, even as communities rally to help those in peril.