Two young boys tragically lost their lives over the weekend after falling through the ice of a frozen creek in Oklahoma, authorities and grieving relatives confirmed.

The victims, close friends Talon Whinery, 8, and Emmett Bennett, 9, fell into the icy waters of Bird Creek in the town of Avant on Saturday evening, according to local reports.

Emergency responders were dispatched at approximately 7:13 p.m. after receiving a report that one child had been found in the water near the creek’s bank, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office said. The boy was pulled from the creek and lifesaving efforts were immediately performed, but he was later pronounced dead.

A large-scale search involving ground crews, aerial drones, and a specialized rescue boat continued for several hours before the second child was located deceased in the creek, authorities added.

While officials have not formally released the boys’ identities, family members confirmed the victims through online fundraisers. According to a GoFundMe page, Whinery was discovered by his uncle and grandfather, who pulled him from the water and attempted CPR, but he did not respond and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A separate fundraiser for Bennett’s family stated that the 9-year-old drowned in a creek near his home, describing the devastating impact on his parents.

Bennett’s aunt, Angela Randolph, told local media that the family initially hoped he had wandered off after witnessing his friend fall into the water. “We really believed he might not be in the creek,” she said. “We had so much hope.”

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office extended its deepest condolences to the families and the Avant community, calling the incident an unimaginable loss. Officials also urged residents to stay off frozen bodies of water, warning that ice may appear solid but can be dangerously unstable.

“As winter conditions persist, the public is strongly advised to avoid walking, playing, or driving on frozen waterways,” the sheriff’s office said.