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REVISED VERSION

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

As Josh Hull explains it, he's glad the incident is over.

Mr Hull, of Fern Lane, went to Hattertown Pond with his two sons, Tyler, 12,

and Seth, 10, for a bit of ice skating on Sunday.

Hattertown Pond, also known as Morgan's Pond, is a popular spot for ice

skating off Castle Meadow Road, not far from the Hull residence.

The Hulls arrived at the pond about noon and Mr Hull proceeded to check the

thickness of the ice. After making a number of test holes, he determined the

ice to be about four to five inches thick, a thickness considered safe enough

for skating.

The boys and their father spent the next two hours on the ice, staying on an

area measuring about 100 feet by 100 feet that Mr Hull judged safe for

skating. Then they strayed onto an area of thinner ice. Simultaneously, all

three broke through the ice and plunged into the frigid waters of the shallow

pond.

Tyler was able to pull himself out of the water and inch along the ice on his

belly until he eventually reached shore. Seth had fallen through thinner ice

which couldn't support his weight when he tried to get out. Mr Hull said he

tried to reach Seth several times, but each time the ice broke.

Mr Hull's wife, Margaret, then appeared at the shoreline and wanted to come

out onto the ice to help, but he cautioned her not to, instead urging her to

get a length of rope that he had in his truck. She tossed the rope out to her

husband and ran to a nearby house to call for help about 2:15 pm.

Mr Hull said he threw the rope to Seth who was able to snatch it with his

teeth. Eventually, he was able to pull Seth to safety. Seth had been in the

water for well over 10 minutes, Mr Hull said.

Police and firemen then arrived at the scene and expedited the rescue using a

rope. The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Josh Hull and Seth to

Danbury Hospital where they were treated and later released. Tyler was treated

at the scene.

"It's a good time for me to express my gratitude for their fearlessness and

professionalism," Mr Hull said of the efforts by police, fire and ambulance

personnel.

Mr Hull expressed regret that the accident occurred and relief that everyone

was safe.