LEYTONSTONE: Headteacher and daughter rescued from icy pond (From This Is Local London)

LEYTONSTONE: Headteacher and daughter rescued from icy pond

11:02am Thursday 8th January 2009 in

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A headteacher and his daughter were rescued by boat after risking walking over a frozen pond.

Nazir Ahmed, headteacher of Best Tutors in Church Road, Leyton, got stranded on an island after ill-advisedly taken his daughters over the thin ice at Hollow Pond, Whipps Cross Road, in Leytonstone.

The family were going to feed the ducks yesterday morning, but when they tried to return the father heard a cracking sound.

His 12-year-old daughter made it back to the other side, and he and his 10-year-old remained on the island from where he called the emergency services.

Mr Ahmed said: “It was very scary. If I was alone I could have made it but my daughter started crying so I didn’t take the risk. It was very cold, but I kept her moving and when she saw the emergency boat she was OK.”

Asked whether he had been aware of the risks, he said: “I had tested the ice with my heel beforehand and was 100 per cent sure it was safe. Had known the risks I wouldn’t have done it.

Grateful for being saved, Mr Ahmed added: “I would like to warn people to stay away from the ice, even if you think you are 100 per cent sure it is solid; it can be thin and dangerous.”

Just the day before, witnesses described seeing a young couple putting the life of their young toddler at risk by walking across the same pond, which had frozen following sub-zero temperatures on Monday. A another young couple (pictured) also took their lives into their hands by walking on the ice.

A man in his 40s was also rescued from the island on Tuesday, having fallen through the ice and pulled himself and a dog to safety.