Columbia kayaker and dog rescued by firefighters, after falling through ice

Columbia firefighters wearing special ice-rescue gear were able to rescue a kayaker and a dog that fell through ice on a pond near Chapel Hill Thursday afternoon.

The incident happened at about 3 pm in the 2600 block of Carrera, when a person fell through ice but was able to get to shore and to a home. A dog was also in the ice, and a kayaker began breaking ice trying to rescue the dog. Columbia firefighters say the kayaker fell into the water. Crews rescued the man and the dog, about 30 feet from the shore.

Firefighters are urging residents to never go onto ice alone, and to have a floatation device with you, if possible.