BOCES student rescued from ice pond in Liberty

An 18-year-old student at the BOCES campus in the town of LIberty was rescued by state toopers, sheriff's deputies, and volunteer firemen from sinking into an icy pond on Tuesday, according to a press release from the New York State Police.

The teenager reportedly ran off the BOCES campus, into the woods, and attempted to swim across the ice-covered pond. When rescuers threw the him a rope, he refused to grab it, according to the press release.

Two rescuers, State Trooper Stephen Johnston and a volunteer fireman, had to follow the student into the pond to save him.

Here's the full press release from the New York State Police:

Liberty Troopers rescue BOCES student from a partially ice covered pond in the Town of Liberty

On January 24, 2012, State Police in Liberty assisted the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department with an 18 year old BOCES student who left the campus and ran off into a wooded area. The male subject attempted to swim across a partially frozen pond and became stuck in chest deep water halfway across the pond. Trooper Stephen Johnstone threw a resue rope to the student, who refused to grab the rope. When the student became lethargic, Trooper Johnstone and a volunteer fireman entered the water and retrieved the student before he became totally submerged under the water. He was transported by Mobil Medic Ambulance to Catskill Regional Hospital for hypothermia treatment and a Mental Health evaluation.