Bryan LaPlante, 33, heroically died saving his 6-year-old son when their snowmobile broke through the ice of an upstate New York pond. While returning from an ice fishing trip on Chaumont Pond with family friend Michael Booth, 48, the snowmobile plunged into the frigid water. LaPlante managed to lift his son out of the water but couldn't save himself. He instructed his son to follow the moon to his grandmother's house to get help.
The young boy bravely trekked two miles home. Upon reaching his grandmother's, he alerted his grandfather, Patrick LaPlante, 51. The grandfather rushed to the pond and saw Bryan and Booth struggling in the water. While attempting to reach them, Patrick also fell through the ice but managed to save himself. He lost sight of Bryan and Booth before state police arrived.
Responding troopers found Bryan LaPlante and Michael Booth unresponsive in the water. Despite resuscitation efforts, both were pronounced dead at Gouverneur Hospital. The 6-year-old boy and his grandfather were treated for hypothermia at Clinton-Fine Hospital. LaPlante's sister praised the bravery of all involved, stating her brother "died saving his son."