Connecticut
Firefighters save swan trapped in frozen Connecticut lake in dramatic rescue
Firefighters rushed to rescue a swan that was stuck in a frozen Connecticut lake this week after a spell of freezing temperatures in the area, according to reports.
The Norwalk Fire Department suited up in cold-water rescue gear and used ropes to carefully move onto the frozen Norwalk River on Tuesday and locate the trapped feathered friend.
Rescuers soon learned that the poor swan’s feet were frozen into the ice — and spent half an hour chipping away at the frozen lake to finally free the bird.
Photos showed the elegant creature being strapped onto a rescue float and swaddled in a blanket before it was pulled to shore and hoisted up a fence to safety.
It is not immediately clear how long the swan had been trapped in the ice, and rescuers were initially concerned that the bird had died.
But after approaching the scene, firefighters quickly realized the swan was alive and grateful for some help out of the bone-chilling lake.
“It was curled up, probably trying to warm itself or keep itself warm, but I did see some movement, so at that point, I was a little optimistic that we can have a good outcome,” Norwalk Fire Department Chief Jonathan Maggio told WABC.
The swan was “just happy to be out of the ice,” Maggio added.
The bird was taken to a veterinarian center and is expected to make a full recovery. Once it regains strength, the swan will be properly released into the wild.
With Post wires
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”
Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.
Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.
Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.
“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.
Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.
Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Chip Rubenstein, owner of Chip’s Auto Sales of Milford, says he’s honored to celebrate the dealership’s 50th anniversary alongside America’s 250th birthday.
“I opened Chip’s Auto Sales in 1976, during a chaotic time for our nation in the world,” said Rubenstein, “50 years later, I am so proud of the legacy I’ve created as somebody who always tried his best to do right, and to serve my community proudly.”
Intense flames engulfed a car early Saturday morning in Trumbull.
Officials say it happened around 3:30 a.m. on Richfield Drive near the Bridgeport town line.
Trumbull and Bridgeport fire crews worked to put out the flames.
It was not immediately known how the fire started or if there were any injuries.
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