Overview

• Eleven-year-old Juliana Fischer raced to her neighbor’s yard after hearing Kathleen Freeman’s screams and lowered a ladder that allowed 5-year-old Jack Buss to climb out of the water-filled well.
• Jack emerged with only minor scratches and was examined by EMTs before being transported to a local hospital for further checks.
• Tyngsborough fire crews temporarily stabilized the 20-foot well with a heavy plate and cinder blocks while homeowners and authorities arrange a lasting safety fix.
• Investigators determined the accident occurred when a concealed cover slipped under the child’s weight, underscoring the dangers of unsecured yard wells.
• Fischer shrugged off praise, saying anyone would have acted the same way, as Freeman credited the preteen with having “saved the day.”