Overview
- Osage County officials confirmed two children died after falling through ice on Bird Creek near Avant over the weekend.
- Deputies received a call at 7:13 p.m. that one child was found near the bank; he was removed from the water and lifesaving efforts failed.
- Dozens of responders used ground teams, drones, a specialized rescue boat, and dive teams, recovering the second victim at about 11:30 p.m.
- Family and local reports identified the boys as Talon Whinery, 8, and Emmett Bennett, 9, with relatives saying Whinery was pulled out by his uncle and grandfather.
- The sheriff’s office warned residents to stay off frozen waterways, while Avant Public School offered counselors and fundraisers for both families drew thousands of dollars.