Three young brothers died on Monday, January 27, 2026, after falling through ice on a frozen pond in Bonham, Texas, despite desperate rescue attempts by their mother and a neighbor.
The victims were identified as 6-year-old Howard Doss, 8-year-old Kaleb Doss and 9-year-old EJ Doss. The tragedy unfolded at a private pond off Rec Road 3 in Fannin County, approximately 60 miles northeast of Dallas.
According to the boys’ mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, the youngest boy fell through the ice first. His older brothers then jumped into the frigid water in an attempt to save him.
Hangaman said her daughter alerted her that the boys were drowning. The mother of six children immediately jumped into the pond to try to rescue her sons, but the ice kept breaking during her rescue attempts.
“There was three of them and only one of me,” Hangaman said. “That’s why I couldn’t save them.”
The mother became locked up in the cold water as her body went into shock from the freezing temperatures. A neighbor who heard the call for help pulled Hangaman from the water.
John Ramsey, a football coach for the Bonham Independent School District, was nearby when he heard someone calling for help and went to assist during the rescue effort. Ramsey declined interview requests but released 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 boys were pulled from the water by responders and the neighbor. The 8-year-old and 9-year-old were taken to a hospital where they died. The 6-year-old did not resurface and was recovered after an extensive search of the pond.
The pond was located about 100 feet from the house where the family had been staying. Hangaman had warned the boys to stay away from the water before the incident occurred.
Schools had been canceled due to a winter storm that brought dangerous 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 scene along with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens. Multiple agencies participated in the recovery effort and investigation.
Lance Hamlin, superintendent of the Bonham Independent School District, addressed the tragedy in a letter to families. The district announced it would offer counseling support for students and staff affected by the loss.
Frozen ponds and lakes present significant dangers during winter storms, particularly when ice appears solid but lacks the thickness to support weight. Ice thickness can vary dramatically across a single body of water due to factors including water depth, current, temperature fluctuations and snow cover. What appears to be safe skating ice on the surface may be dangerously thin just feet away.
Safety experts recommend at least four inches of solid ice to support a person on foot, though many variables affect ice strength. New ice is generally stronger than old ice, and clear ice is stronger than ice that appears white or opaque. However, visual inspection alone cannot determine whether ice is safe.
When someone falls through ice, the immediate cold shock response can cause involuntary gasping and hyperventilation, making it difficult to control breathing. Cold water rapidly drains body heat, and hypothermia can set in within minutes. The body’s extremities lose dexterity quickly in freezing water, making it nearly impossible to pull oneself out without assistance.
Rescue attempts by untrained individuals often result in additional victims, as would-be rescuers encounter the same hazards that trapped the initial victim. Emergency responders train extensively in ice rescue techniques using specialized equipment including ice picks, rescue sleds, cold water suits and rope systems designed to distribute weight and prevent rescuers from breaking through.
The instinct to immediately jump in after someone who has fallen through ice is natural but extremely dangerous. Experts advise calling emergency services first, then attempting to reach the victim from shore using a rope, ladder, branch or other object that extends reach without requiring the rescuer to venture onto unstable ice.
A GoFundMe campaign was created to help cover funeral expenses for the three brothers. Edward Doss, the boys’ father, spoke with media outlets following the tragedy.
The investigation into the drowning incident remains ongoing with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office continuing to review the circumstances of the deaths.
Winter storms across Texas brought unusual ice and freezing conditions to areas unaccustomed to such severe winter weather. The storm system caused widespread school closures, power outages and hazardous travel conditions throughout North Texas. Many residents, particularly children, had limited experience with frozen bodies of water and the dangers they present.
The tragedy highlighted the need for increased awareness about winter water safety in regions that rarely experience extended freezing temperatures. Parents and guardians in areas affected by unusual winter weather face the challenge of educating children about hazards they may encounter only once every few years or even less frequently.
Communities often lack the infrastructure and public education programs common in northern states where frozen water bodies are a regular winter occurrence. Warning signs, public service announcements and school-based safety education about ice hazards are less prevalent in southern states, leaving families to navigate these risks with limited guidance.