9-year-old dies, brother survives after falling through ice in Sparta

SPARTA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Tragedy on the ice in western Wisconsin. 9-year-old Jaden Stalsberg died after falling through the ice on a lake in Sparta over the weekend.

First responders were able to crawl onto the ice to rescue the 12-year-old boy who was with him but it took nearly 2-hours to reach Jaden who later died at a Minnesota hospital. 

"The loss of a student is the hardest thing that we have to work through as a school district, as a community and for the family. Thoughts and prayers go out to them," said Dr. Amy Van Deuren with the Sparta Area School District.

Counselors were on hand at Jaden's school on Tuesday. 

Ice conditions throughout the state have become extremely dangerous because of the mild weather we've had.