New Manchester volunteer firefighters toss a rope to civilian John Williams, after he rescued the second of two men who fell through the icy river while fishing Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Run State Park. (Submitted photo by Cheye-Ann Salyards)

NEW CUMBERLAND — A civilian is being described as a hero, after rescuing two individuals who fell through the ice while fishing Saturday afternoon in Tomlinson Run State Park.

John Williams himself had shown up to fish on a nearby dock when he was greeted by three teenagers who had witnessed the men go through the ice, called 911 and tried to get help from passers-by.

New Manchester Volunteer Fire Department reported on their Facebook page that they arrived on the scene three minutes after the initial call was received at 12:36 p.m. with two units.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office did not respond for comment.

Cheye-Ann Salyards of Imperial, Pa. recalled she and her husband were driving past the park’s water area, when the teens waved them down to explain the men’s plight. The Salyards fetched their tiedown ropes in an attempt to throw it out to the men in the water, when they saw Williams and the teens trying to free one of the park’s rental boats that were chained, she explained.

After Williams used the limb cutters from his truck to cut the chain, Salyards’ husband and he got into the boat in an effort to make their way across the ice to the men. However, the two men were too heavy, so Salyards’ husband got out and Williams went out alone.

“Williams, using a log, began scooting the boat over the ice to the two men. He was halfway to them when first responders showed up,” she said, adding that they all stood on the dock, watching as Williams pulled each men into the boat. A first responder then threw Williams a rope, and they pulled the boat back toward safety.

Salyards still is amazed that Williams, whom she estimated was in his 60s, could pull two grown men, fully clothed and soaking wet, into the boat by himself.

“This was incredibly heroic by the teenagers who flagged us down to get them help and (Williams), who risked his own life to go out there,” she noted.

As a result of Williams’ initial efforts, earlier requested units from Chester and New Cumberland were canceled, although several personnel from New Cumberland still responded to assist, according to New Manchester Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Hancock County EMS personnel also arrived to administer medical aid, it added.

Both men had their wet clothing removed, with one patient treated in an ambulance and the other in a New Manchester responding unit, while being warmed up. Both refused further medical transport.

Additional information regarding Williams is unknown, per Salyards, who admitted the man, now shaken, abandoned his own planned fishing trip to head home.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com