On Monday, January 26, 2026, three young siblings tragically lost their lives after falling through the ice on a frozen pond in Bonham, Texas. The boys’ mother and a nearby neighbor made frantic rescue attempts to no avail.
The victims, 6-year-old Howard Doss, 8-year-old Kaleb Doss, and 9-year-old EJ Doss, encountered the fatal accident at a private pond situated off Rec Road 3 in Fannin County, approximately 60 miles northeast of Dallas.
The boys’ mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, recounted that the youngest boy was the first to plunge through the ice. In an attempt to rescue their little brother, the two older boys jumped into the icy water.
Hangaman was alerted of the dire situation by her daughter. As a mother of six children, Hangaman did not hesitate to dive into the pond in an effort to save her sons, but the ice continually shattered during her undertakings.
She explained the ordeal by saying, “There was three of them and only one of me. That’s why I couldn’t save them.”
Hangaman became immobilized in the icy water as her body went into shock due to the freezing temperatures. A neighbor who heard her calls for help managed to pull her from the water.
John Ramsey, a local football coach for the Bonham Independent School District, was in the vicinity when he heard the cries for help and joined the rescue effort. While declining an interview, Ramsey did issue a statement.
“I was nearby helping a neighbor when I heard someone calling for help and went to assist,” Ramsey said. “Any person in that situation would have done the same thing. I was simply close enough to help in a moment of crisis, doing what I hope anyone would do for someone in need.”
Two of the boys were extricated from the water by the responders and the neighbor. The 8-year-old and 9-year-old were rushed to the hospital where they later succumbed. The 6-year-old boy was located following an extensive search of the pond.
The pond was approximately 100 feet from the home where the family was residing. Prior to the incident, Hangaman had cautioned the boys to keep clear of the water.
A severe winter storm had led to school cancellations, bringing treacherous ice and freezing conditions to the region. All three boys were elementary students in the Bonham Independent School District.
The Bonham Fire Department responded to the incident, alongside the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens. Several agencies contributed to both the recovery effort and subsequent investigation.
Lance Hamlin, the superintendent of Bonham Independent School District, addressed the heartrending event in a letter to families, informing them of available counseling support for students and staff impacted by the loss.
Frozen bodies of water pose significant hazards during winter storms, especially when the ice appears solid but is not thick enough to support weight. Factors such as water depth, current, temperature swings, and snow cover can cause dramatic variations in ice thickness across a single body of water.
For a person on foot, safety experts recommend a minimum of four inches of solid ice. However, many variables can affect the strength of the ice, with new and clear ice generally being stronger than old or white/opaque ice.
Falling through ice can cause an immediate cold shock response, triggering involuntary gasping and hyperventilation, making controlled breathing difficult. Hypothermia can set in within minutes as cold water rapidly saps body heat, and the body’s extremities quickly lose dexterity in freezing water, making self-rescue almost impossible without help.
Rescue attempts by untrained individuals often lead to additional victims, as the would-be rescuers encounter the same risks as the initial victim. Emergency responders receive extensive training in ice rescue techniques and use specialized equipment to prevent breaking through the ice.
The instinct to dive in after someone who has fallen through ice is natural but perilous. Experts recommend calling for emergency services first and then trying to reach the victim from the shore using a rope, ladder, branch, or other long-reaching object without stepping onto the precarious ice.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist with the funeral expenses for the three brothers. Edward Doss, the father of the boys, has spoken with media outlets since the tragic event.
Unusual icy and freezing conditions were brought to Texas by winter storms, causing widespread school closures, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions across North Texas. Many residents, particularly children, have limited experience with frozen bodies of water and the dangers they present.
This tragic incident underscores the need for enhanced awareness about winter water safety in regions that seldom experience prolonged freezing temperatures. Southern states often lack the infrastructure and public education initiatives common in northern areas where frozen water bodies are a regular winter occurrence, leaving families to navigate these risks with limited guidance.
