Woman rescued after falling through ice on Seneca River trying to save 2 dogs; the dogs died

Memphis, N.Y. -- A woman was taken to a hospital Sunday after she and her two dogs fell through ice on the Seneca River near Memphis, troopers said.

Around 11:49 a.m., a neighbor living on Rayrene Drive called 911 to report someone fell through the ice of Seneca River, according to Onondaga County 911 Dispatch reports.

Officers told dispatchers rescuers should drive to Morgan Road in the town of Lysander to rescue the woman, according to dispatch reports.

When emergency crews arrived, they found a 36-year-old woman in the water, according to Trooper Jack Keller, a State Police spokesperson. The woman — who lives on Morgan Road — had tried to stop her dogs and followed them onto the ice when all three fell in, he said.

The woman was in the water for 20 minutes, Keller said. Neither dog made it out of the water, he said.

The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Jordan Ambulance, Plainville Fire Department, Jordan Fire Department, and the Northwest Fire Department responded to assist with the ice rescue.

Keller said the woman was taken to Upstate University Hospital for evaluation.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com