A farmer in Vanleer, Tennessee died Thursday while trying to rescue two calves from a frozen pond. The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office said because of the severe weather it took rescuers two hours to find the body of 77-year-old Donald Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell is the second person in a week in Tennessee to drown in a frozen pond. The first was 10-year-old Benjamin Luckett of Shelby County. Benjamin and his little sister were playing near a pond at their home when she fell through the ice. The family’s pastor said Benjamin sacrificed his own life while trying to keep 6-year-old Abigail above water. The little girl has been taken off a ventilator and is reportedly doing well.
On Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Health had confirmed 6 weather-related fatalities statewide. There have been two fatalities in Shelby County and one weather-related fatality each in Maury, Williamson, Dickson and Overton Counties.