By Dan O’Brien
The Union Leader Correspondent
HOOKSETT, N.H. — A woman was listed in critical condition Sunday night after spending at least two hours in waist-deep water after falling through ice in a swamp behind her home.
Kelly Dwyer was identified by neighbors as the victim firefighters rescued about 7:20 p.m. Elliot Hospital officials in Manchester listed her in critical condition.
Officials said the married mother of two middle school-aged girls was snowshoeing when the accident occurred.
Fire Chief Michael Williams said the woman, in her 40s, was rescued from a swamp area about a quarter-mile behind her 32 Carriage Lane home in the area of Tower Hill Pond.
“Upon our arrival, she was still stuck in the ice in a remote pond behind her home,” Williams said. “Her husband got there and helped get her out as much as possible.”
Williams said a family member of the victim called for help about 6:45 p.m., after not seeing her for two hours.
“She’d been there for a while,” he said.
Crews did not use any specialized boats or sleds to get to the victim, but the equipment was on hand in case it was needed. Four firefighters in ice rescue suits ultimately saved the woman.
“It was labor-intensive work,” Williams said. “It was a lengthy extrication.”
Williams said the woman was conscious and alert when firefighters arrived.
First responders were seen pushing the victim on a stretcher through snow from behind her home to a waiting ambulance on Carriage Lane.
EMTs performed cardiopulmonoary resuscitation on the victim for several minutes before she was whisked away in the ambulance.
Neighbor Ron Raczka and his daughter, Meredith Raczka, said the victim was seen snowshoeing in the area quite often.
“She was always very prepared,” Meredith Raczka said.
“She’s very active,” Ron Raczka said. “She’s definitely not an amateur.”
No one from the Dwyer family was available for comment Sunday night.
Firefighters from several area towns, including Allenstown, assisted in the rescue.
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