2 boys pulled from swamp in Halifax

HALIFAX, Mass. (WHDH) -- Two young boys were recovering Friday after they were pulled out of a swamp in Halifax.

The boys were missing for hours before rescue crews finally reached them.

“They were actually barefoot at time. Their sneakers got pulled off in the mud and water,” said Sergeant Ted Broderick, Halifax Police Department.

For 2.5 hours late Friday afternoon, two Halifax 12 year olds were knee-deep in frigid swamp waters, not wearing any shoes.

“It was pretty awful. It was probably knee to waist-deep water…trees down…they were actually standing on a little stump that was out of the water so they could stay dry,” said Sergeant Broderick.

The two friends had been playing in the backyard until they wandered into the woods and ended up lost, stuck in a swamp.

“The kids know the area pretty well but by the time they made the call, it was getting dark and they were cold and tired so they had had enough,” Sergeant Broderick said.

They used a cellphone to call for help.

“The State Police helicopter was talking to them on a cellphone and that’s how they located them. They told the helicopter when they were overhead and what area they were in,” said Sergeant Patrick Sterling, Halifax Police Department.

And with that information, the State Police were able to direct two Halifax police sergeants who waded into the swap to get them.

“You don’t think about it, you just try to get into the woods and get them,” said Sergeant Sterling.

The two boys were taken to a local hospital as a precaution.