On Monday, January 26, 2026, a tragic incident occurred in Bonham, Texas, where three young brothers lost their lives after falling through the ice of a frozen pond. Despite the frantic efforts of their mother and a neighbor, the boys could not be saved.
The three brothers were identified as Howard Doss, 6, Kaleb Doss, 8, and Edward (EJ) Doss, 9. The unfortunate event took place on a private pond situated off Rec Road 3 in Fannin County, roughly 60 miles northeast of Dallas, Texas.
The mother of the boys, Cheyenne Hangaman, stated that the youngest of the three, Howard, was the first to fall through the ice. His two older brothers subsequently jumped into the icy water in a brave but ill-fated attempt to save him.
Upon being alerted to the situation by her daughter, Hangaman, the mother of six children, hastily plunged into the pond to rescue her sons. However, the ice continued to break during her rescue attempts. “There was three of them and only one of me,” Hangaman said. “That’s why I couldn’t save them.”
Due to the freezing temperatures, Hangaman went into shock and became immobilized in the cold water. A neighbor who heard her cries for help managed to pull her from the water.
John Ramsey, a local football coach for the Bonham Independent School District, was in the vicinity when he heard the call for help and responded. Although Ramsey declined an interview, he issued 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.”
The 8-year-old and 9-year-old were pulled from the water by responders and the neighbor, and rushed to a hospital, where they later died. An extensive search was conducted to recover the body of the 6-year-old, who did not resurface.
The pond, located approximately 100 feet from the house where the family resided, was an area Hangaman had previously cautioned the boys to avoid.
All three boys were elementary students in the Bonham Independent School District, where schools had been closed due to a winter storm that introduced hazardous ice and freezing conditions to the region.
The Bonham Fire Department, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Game Wardens responded to the scene. The recovery effort and investigation involved multiple agencies.
Lance Hamlin, superintendent of the Bonham Independent School District, addressed the tragic event in a letter to families. The district announced that counseling support would be available for students and staff affected by the loss.
Winter storms pose a considerable risk due to frozen ponds and lakes, particularly when ice appears solid but is not thick enough to support weight. Variables such as water depth, current, temperature fluctuations and snow cover can significantly alter ice thickness across a single body of water. Safety experts suggest at least four inches of solid ice to support a person on foot.
When an individual falls through ice, the immediate cold shock response can lead to involuntary gasping and hyperventilation, complicating controlled breathing. Hypothermia can set in within minutes as cold water rapidly drains body heat. Rescuing oneself becomes nearly impossible as dexterity in the body’s extremities decreases swiftly in freezing water.
Rescue attempts by untrained individuals often result in further casualties, as those attempting rescue face the same dangers as the original victim. Emergency responders train extensively in ice rescue techniques using specialized equipment.
The instinctual reaction to jump in after someone who has fallen through ice is risky. Experts recommend calling emergency services first, then trying to reach the victim from the shore using a rope, ladder, or branch.
A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses for the three brothers. Edward Doss, the boys’ father, spoke with media outlets following the tragic incident.
The winter storms that swept across Texas brought unprecedented ice and freezing conditions to areas unprepared for such severe winter weather. School closures, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions were widespread throughout North Texas. Many residents, especially children, have limited experience with frozen bodies of water and the dangers they pose.
