Neighbor helps save woman, dog who fell in Elk River

KSTP

[Sherburne County Sheriff's Department]

A neighbor is credited with helping save a woman and her dog after they fell through the ice into the Elk River Thursday.

The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to a home in the 19000 block of 147th Street at about 2:15 p.m. after a woman said her dog was stranded in the middle of the river after falling through the ice.

By the time authorities arrived, the woman had also fallen into the river trying to rescue her dog.

According to the sheriff's office, a neighbor saw the 64-year-old woman fall in and rushed to help her. The first deputy on scene saw the 72-year-old man pulling the woman out of the river, the department said.

The woman was cold but not seriously injured. Deputies wearing cold water equipment then rescued the dog, Max, from the river.

The sheriff's office said Max was taken to a local vet and his owner was taken to a hospital. Both are expected to make full recoveries.