Benjamin and Sebastian Pufall, 7-year-old twin brothers, die after falling through frozen Onslow County pond as mother Barbara Zarlinga jumps in trying to save them

Seven-year-old twin brothers Benjamin and Sebastian Pufall died after falling through the ice of a frozen pond in Onslow County, North Carolina, despite their mother’s desperate attempt to rescue them.

Emergency crews responded to Mayberry Lane around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, after a 911 call reported that two children had fallen into the icy water, according to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office. Their mother, Barbara Zarlinga, had been inside cooking dinner while the boys played outdoors. When they didn’t respond to her calls to come inside, she went searching and discovered one of them in the pond.

Zarlinga entered the freezing water and pulled Sebastian out, performing lifesaving measures until help arrived. Responding emergency personnel quickly located and removed Benjamin from the pond as well. Both boys were transported to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, where they were pronounced dead. Authorities have ruled the incident an accident.

Sheriff Chris Thomas called it a “heartbreaking day for our community,” offering condolences to the family and noting the emotional toll on first responders. Zarlinga was treated at a hospital for hypothermia after the rescue attempt.

A fundraiser organized to support the family has raised more than $23,000, with organizers describing the family as devastated by the loss and thanking supporters for their help during the tragedy.