Tragic Accident Claims Young Life in Fort Wayne
The Marion County Coroner’s Office has identified the child rescued from an Allen County pond as 8-year-old Xavier Bordley. The boy tragically passed away after falling through thin ice on Sunday afternoon.
Incident Details
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), emergency services were alerted to a missing child in the 13000 block of Slash Pass. Reports indicated that two children, aged 8 and 9, were playing on thin ice covering a neighborhood pond when the ice broke.
Xavier Bordley fell into the freezing water, and his 9-year-old companion attempted to rescue him but also fell through the ice. The older child managed to escape and alerted Xavier’s father. The father entered the chest-deep water in a desperate search for his son but could not locate him.
Emergency Response
The Fort Wayne Fire Department conducted a water rescue and recovered Xavier from the pond at approximately 1 p.m. He was immediately transported to Lutheran Hospital in critical condition. Later that day, he was transferred to an Indianapolis hospital for advanced care, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Community Mourning
Xavier’s death has deeply affected the Fort Wayne community. Local officials and neighbors have expressed condolences to the Bordley family. The incident also serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of playing on ice, particularly during fluctuating winter conditions.
The Indiana DNR continues to emphasize the importance of ice safety and encourages families to discuss the risks with children.
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