Police pull man from icy water

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OXFORD — A Naugatuck man suffered severe hypothermia when he fell through ice at a reservoir in the Naugatuck State Forest on Tuesday.

Two state police troopers responding to the 4:25 p.m. call found the man, identified as Kenneth Wakely, 58, of 34 Celantro Drive in Naugatuck, in the icy water hanging on to an ice fishing supply sled about 50 feet from shore. His panic-stricken 12-year old son was on the shore, according to state police.

Police officers threw a rescue rope to Wakely, who had difficulty hanging on because of hypothermia. With some difficulty he was able to hang on as troopers pulled him to safety.

State police said Wakely had been in the water for more than 10 minutes. He was treated on the scene for severe hypothermia, according to state police.

Oxford emergency medical technicians and firefighters wrapped dry towels around Wakeley to keep him warm. EMTs evaluated him on scene, but he refused medical attention, police said.