Central Virginia firefighters, assisted by police officers, rescued two minors from a well Thursday, according to a release.
The two children, ages 12 and 6, fell about 35 feet into a well in the 7400 block of Studley Road. According to the statement: Hanover County Fire and Emergency Services reported that firefighters and paramedics arrived on scene around 1:40 p.m.
“Using a ladder and rope system, the two patients were rescued from the well at 2:14pm,” the statement said.
Both children suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital.
According to the fire department, officers from the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the rescue efforts.
Reaction to the news was mostly positive. (RELATED: Video shows deputy smashing car window to save toddler from heat)
“Great job by Hanover County Fire and Emergency Services and a great result!” Said Sheriff’s office.
“Thank you to all the heroes and their help,” one person said.
“Thank you!” he said, WTVR CBS 6 News. Reported the incident.
“Well done everyone!! So glad the outcome was positive! So scary!!” added another.
“So scary… I’m glad they’re both safe and someone knows who fell in… Was this well open? It’s scary that someone would leave a well open,” questioned a commenter.
“And keep an eye on the kids!!!” warned another.
“The Hanover County Fire Department encourages all residents to ensure their wells are properly covered and maintained,” the fire department said.
In a similar historic accident on Oct. 14, 1987, 18-month-old Jessica McClure fell into a 22-foot, 8-inch-deep well in her aunt’s backyard in Midland, Texas, in a west Texas neighborhood, ABC13 Houston reported. report.
According to People magazine, rescuers heard McClure singing “Winnie-the-Pooh” from inside the well, which sparked the rescue effort.
It took 58 hours and the expertise of oil and gas workers to free McClure, according to ABC13 Houston. The incident captivated the nation at the time.
Ms McClure had her toes amputated and suffered cuts to her head, but as a mother she was unable to remember the incident, the media reported.
A rescue worker named Robert O’Donnell pulled McClure from the well. The stress of the subsequent press coverage led to depression, and he committed suicide on April 23, 1995, at age 37, according to The New York Times. report.
“It was the best moment of Robert’s life and the worst thing that could have happened to him,” O’Donnell’s mother was quoted as saying by The New York Times.
