GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — Authorities say two young boys drowned after falling through the ice on a sewage lagoon at a Hutterite Colony near Great Falls.

Cascade County Sheriff Bob Edwards says three boys fell into the lagoon near the Pleasant Valley Colony, about eight miles east of Centerville on Wednesday afternoon.

Colony secretary/treasurer Peter Waldner tells the Great Falls Tribune the boys who died were cousins, 4-year-old Arnie Wipf and 5-year-old Adrian Wipf.

The mother of 5-year-old Jonathan Wipf pulled him from the water. Waldner says they quickly got the water out of his lungs. He was hospitalized in Great Falls.

Waldner says a boy who witnessed the accident ran for help. By the time Jonathan's mother arrived, all three boys were floating in the water.

The lagoon is surrounded by a fence and has a no trespassing sign.

 

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