Fox Lake boy, 12, rescued after falling through thin ice on retention pond

FOX LAKE, Ill. (WLS) -- A 12-year-old boy was rescued Wednesday morning after falling through a patch of thin ice in north suburban Fox Lake.

He was taking pictures of birds about 10:50 a.m. near a pond behind his home along Devlin Road when he wandered onto the ice, Fox Lake Fire Chief Ronald Hoehne said.

He fell through up to his waist but got stuck in the mud. He was able to cling to the ice and stay upright until help arrived.

RELATED: Woman body-shamed after video of her rescue from icy Michigan lake goes viral

The boy was quickly rescued and treated for hypothermia, the fire official said.

The boy is expected to be OK, but the ice is not safe this time of year, Hoehne said.