Talon Whinery, 8, and Emmett Bennett, 9, Die After Falling Through Frozen Bird Creek in Oklahoma

A small Oklahoma community is grieving after two young boys lost their lives when they fell through the ice of a frozen creek while playing in Avant, Osage County, over the weekend.

Authorities said Talon Whinery, 8, and Emmett Bennett, 9, were playing near Bird Creek on Saturday evening when the ice gave way, plunging them into the frigid water. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 7:13 p.m. reporting that one child had been found in the water near the creek’s bank.

First responders rushed to the scene, where one of the boys was pulled from the water and lifesaving measures were attempted. Despite those efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

A massive search effort was launched for the second boy, involving dozens of emergency personnel, ground teams, aerial drones, and a specialized rescue boat. After several hours, the second child was located in the creek and also pronounced dead.

While authorities have not officially released the victims’ names, family members confirmed the boys’ identities. According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Talon Whinery was found by his grandfather and uncle, who pulled him from Bird Creek and immediately began CPR.

“Our hearts are shattered and it feels unreal,” the family wrote. “Our baby boy was not responsive and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Another fundraiser for Emmett Bennett said the 9-year-old drowned in a creek near his home. Emmett’s aunt, Angela Randolph, described the agonizing search and the family’s hope that he might still be alive.

“We thought maybe he couldn’t be in the water, just scared because he saw his friend,” Randolph told News On 6. “So we had really high hopes.”

“I don’t know how to move forward yet,” she added. “I wish I could take their pain away.”

In a statement, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to stay off frozen bodies of water, warning that ice conditions can be extremely unpredictable and dangerous, even when they appear solid.

“This tragedy has deeply impacted everyone involved,” the sheriff’s office said. “Incidents involving children are among the most difficult situations first responders face.”

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing as the Avant community mourns the heartbreaking loss of two young lives.

Talon Whinery was pulled out of the creek by his uncle and grandfather, who attempted CPR.

Talon Whinery, 8, and Emmett Bennett, 9, (pictured) fell through the ice on Bird Creek in Avant, Oklahoma, on Saturday evening.