7-Year-Old Twins Die in Onslow County Frozen Pond Tragedy in North Carolina

Onslow County Frozen Pond Tragedy Leaves Community Mourning After Death of Two Children

RICHLANDS, N.C. — Seven-year-old twins Benjamin and Sebastian Pufall were the children who died after falling into a frozen pond behind their Mayberry Lane home in Richlands, North Carolina.

According to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 5:30 p.m. on February 8 after receiving a 911 call reporting two children had fallen into a frozen pond.

The boys’ mother, Barbara Zarlinga, told reporters she had been inside cooking dinner while her sons were playing outside their home. When she realized the boys were no longer in sight, she began searching the neighborhood. After checking around the area, she made the decision to look near the pond behind their home.

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That’s when she saw something in the water.

“I saw Sebastian in the water. I didn’t know it was him at the time. I was praying to God it was a toy. When I got into the water, I knew it was not,” Zarlinga told local media.

She immediately pulled Sebastian from the freezing water and began performing life-saving measures. When emergency crews arrived, they located Benjamin in the pond and removed him from the water. First responders from multiple agencies worked desperately to save both children.

The twins were transported to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, where medical staff continued life-saving efforts.

Despite those efforts, both boys later died from their injuries.

Authorities have ruled the incident an accident.

Sheriff Chris Thomas called the loss devastating for the entire county.

“This is a heartbreaking day for our community,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they face an unimaginable loss.”

A GoFundMe has been set up for the boys’ mother. More than $20,000 has already been donated. You can donate here.