One adult is dead and a child is in critical condition after a fall through the ice over a pond near Charleston.

The deceased has been identified as Carlos Serafin.

Coles-Moultrie County Emergency Communications dispatched the Lincoln Fire Dive Team, Lincoln Fire Protection District, Charleston Fire Department and the Coles County Sheriff Department Saturday morning to the area of 13961 E. County Road, 620 N. to respond to a report of two people falling through ice over a pond, according to a press release from the Lincoln Fire Protection District.

Crews from CFD entered the pond with protective cold-water suits and began searching for the two individuals. Both individuals were retrieved from the pond and sent to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. The child has subsequently been transported to a hospital in Peoria.

Three dogs were also rescued from the water.

Adults on the scene said the child entered the pond to rescue stranded dogs and fell through. When the child fell through the ice, the deceased attempted to rescue them and fell through as well.

A close relative of the family said the family is “praying for a miracle,” in a GoFundMe set up for the funeral and medical expenses.

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].