A young child was trapped for over an hour beneath a collapsed igloo before being rescued by emergency personnel in Ocean County.
Lakewood, NJ – Emergency crews in Lakewood rescued a child who became trapped under a collapsed igloo on Monday after heavy, wet snow from the weekend blizzard caused the structure to cave in.
Key Points
- Child was trapped for more than an hour beneath a snow igloo in Lakewood.
- First responders dug through packed snow to free the child, who was conscious upon rescue.
- Investigators believe a plow may have pushed additional snow onto the structure, causing it to collapse.
Child rescued after tense hour-long effort
According to The Lakewood Scoop, first responders worked for over an hour to reach the child, who had been buried under a large mound of snow. Crews used shovels and emergency equipment to clear the pile and pull the child out safely.
The child was alert and able to communicate with paramedics once freed. Hatzolah emergency services transported the child to a local hospital in stable condition.
Plow may have caused collapse
Responders at the scene believe a snowplow may have unintentionally dumped additional snow on top of the igloo while the child was inside, triggering the collapse. Police Chief Gregory Meyer said Lakewood Police were not called to the scene, and the incident was handled entirely by local volunteer medical and rescue personnel.
Officials described the outcome as remarkable, noting the child’s survival after being trapped for more than an hour beneath compacted snow. Emergency crews credited the rapid response and teamwork of rescuers for preventing a potential tragedy.