Dramatic rescue of boy from frozen pond by Utah police officer

A search and rescue team work on the edge of a frozen pond in the town of New Harmony, north of St. George, Utah. Photo / AP, Washington County Sheriffs Office

A sheriff's deputy in southern Utah punched through a frozen pond on Christmas Day to rescue a drowning 8-year-old boy.

The boy had been chasing his dog on Monday evening when another child saw him fall through the ice on a pond in the town of New Harmony.

The other child has rushed to try and help the boy but was unable to get him out of the water.

The child then ran for help.

Washington County sheriff's Sgt Aaron Thompson opted to try and rescue the boy instead of waiting for the other emergency crews to arrive.

He took off his police gear and broke a path through the ice using his hands to reach the boy.

He was able to dive in and grab the boy about 25 feet from the shoreline.

"He and another citizen were actually able to break through the ice, go into the water, and retrieve the boy out of the pond," Lt. Crouse told Fox News. "He was taken to a nearby ambulance."

The boy was airlifted to a hospital in nearby St George to undergo treatment.

His current condition is not yet known.

The deputy was also hospitalized with cuts and bruises and symptoms of hypothermia.

The extent of his injuries wasn't immediately known either.