Sgt. Jeremy Depies and Officer Ashley Bergersen of the Minneapolis Police Department rescue a 4-year-old boy from an icy pond.Screenshot from Minneapolis PD Video

Two Minneapolis police officers were awarded the MPD Medal of Valor on Tuesday for saving a young boy’s life last year.

Sgt. Jeremy Depies and Officer Ashley Bergersen were both working on Sunday, Nov. 26 when a call came in that a young child had fallen through the ice.

“I didn’t think it was real at first,” said Bergersen, who was working as a field training officer that day.

She rushed to Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, where Sgt. Depies was already running towards the water.

“I went down to the ice, ran down there and I saw his snow pants sticking up out of the water,” he said. “I knew he was in there longer than he’d ever be able to hold his breath.”

Depies ran into the water with Bergersen right behind him.

Bergersen carried the little boy—just four years old—out of the water and handed him off to her partner, who raced him to the pavement. They started CPR and called for an ambulance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2_hEZgvE1k

The four-year-old survived.

Dublin Airport Reintroduces Aer Lingus Flights to Minneapolis

Dublin Airport has officially reinstated Aer Lingus’ direct service to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, a route that will now operate four times weekly. This relaunch is part of the airport’s broader initiative to expand its North American flight offerings and bolster connections between Ireland and the United States.

Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, expressed enthusiasm about the route’s return, highlighting its benefits for tourism and economic engagement. “The reintroduction of the Minneapolis-St. Paul service not only strengthens our transatlantic network but also reaffirms our commitment to enhancing tourism and trade with the US. This is a key development in our ongoing partnership with Aer Lingus to grow its presence in North America,” McLean stated.

The route provides direct access to Minneapolis-St. Paul, known for its dynamic cultural scene, stunning lakes, and exceptional dining experiences. Additionally, the city serves as a convenient gateway for travelers looking to explore further into the UK, Europe, and other North American destinations.

An added advantage for passengers traveling from Dublin to Minneapolis-St. Paul is the availability of US Pre Clearance facilities at Dublin Airport. This allows travelers to complete all necessary immigration and customs checks before departure, ensuring a smoother and quicker entry into the United States, where the only remaining queue is for a taxi to their final destination.

The renewed service is set to enhance the travel experience for passengers and further develop the strong cultural and economic ties between Ireland and the United States.

Two Minneapolis police officers were awarded the MPD Medal of Valor on Tuesday for saving a young boy’s life last year.

Sgt. Jeremy Depies and Officer Ashley Bergersen were both working on Sunday, Nov. 26 when a call came in that a young child had fallen through the ice.

“I didn’t think it was real at first,” said Bergersen, who was working as a field training officer that day.

She rushed to Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, where Sgt. Depies was already running towards the water. He’d been doing a ride-along, showing a civilian city parks, when he got the call.

4-year-old boy in critical condition a day after water rescue at Minneapolis park

“I was in the right place at the right time and just arrived on scene at the moment I needed to be there,” he said.

Depies told us he arrived to the scene within 30 seconds, where a little girl told him her brother was in the water.

“I went down to the ice, ran down there and I saw his snow pants sticking up out of the water,” he said. “I knew he was in there longer than he’d ever be able to hold his breath.”

Depies ran into the water with Bergersen right behind him.

“I told myself to feel light as a feather on that ice because I could see that the ice was not thick at all, might have been an inch, if that,” she said. “I just ran as fast and as far as I could to the hole to get Eli.”

Bergersen added, “[I thought] we gotta get him out now or he’s not going to survive.”

Instinct took over for both of them.

“This isn’t anything that either one of us has been trained to do,” said Depies. “In that moment, it didn’t matter, I had to figure out a way to get Eli out of the water.”

Bergersen carried the little boy out of the water and handed him off to her partner, who raced him to the pavement. They started CPR and called for an ambulance.

Bergersen went with the four-year-old to the hospital, where she met his mother.

“The first thing I did when I saw her was I knelt down next to her and gave her a hug,” she said.

After speaking with the child’s mother, she determined he’d been in the water for about six minutes before they arrived.

The four-year-old survived and met his heroes in the weeks that followed.

“Eli’s a fun-loving kid and super great to spend time with,” said Depies

“Amazing to see him walking and talking now, it’s surreal,” said Bergersen. “I am glad that I was working that day, that I was able to respond to that specific call and that I had enough courage to jump into that pond. It was an instinct. I just thought if that was my son, I sure hope someone would go in and save them.”