Tragedy as grandpa and granddaughter, 5, are killed after side-by-side they were riding broke through icy pond in Michigan

A five-year-old girl and her grandpa have been killed after the side-by-side buggy they were riding in crashed through an icy pond.

Ronnie and Eric Miles, 50, died on Wednesday in Westphalia Township, Michigan after their utility task vehicle (UTV) fell through the ice.

Police rushed to the privately owned pond in the 9000 Block of Clintonia Road after getting reports that two people were stuck.

The relatives were urgently pulled from the freezing water and rushed to a nearby hospital but they later died from their injuries.

The grandpa and granddaughter were both from the Portland area, which is roughly 10 miles away.

Investigations into the deaths are still ongoing, the sheriff’s office said.

Side-by-sides typically require at least eight to 10 inches of ice thickness to ride on.

A GoFundMe has been set up in efforts to support the Ronnie’s parents, Grace and Mason Daugherty, who have two other children. Grace, was also Eric’s daughter.

Ronnie, 5, and Eric Miles, 50, died on Wednesday in Westphalia Township, Michigan after their side-by-side fell through the ice of a pond

Grace and Mason Daugherty lost their daughter in the tragedy. Eric was Grace’s father and Mason’s employer

‘If you knew Ronnie you knew of her papa Eric,’ the GoFundMe said. ‘Now as Mason and Grace are left to grieve the lost of their beloved daughter they are also grieving a loss of a father.’

‘Please help me in supporting Mason and Grace as Mason is the only income and they have two little boys to take care of while grieving and trying to financially figure out memorial costs.’

The fundraiser at this time has raised nearly $5,000.

Devastated social media users were heartbroken by the news of the catastrophe and shared their condolences online.

One user wrote: ‘Heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the man and child. Thank you to all the First Responders and 911 Dispatchers.’

Another added: ‘Prayers for all involved. God, watch over them all as they are dealing with this tragedy.’

Side-by-sides typically require at least eight to 10 inches of ice thickness to ride on (Stock Image)

Police rushed to the scene in Westphalia Township, Michigan on Wednesday after getting reports of two people stuck in the pond (stock image)

‘So heartbreaking! Sending our hugs, thoughts & prayers for the family, friends, loved ones, the Portland & PW Communities & the first responders,’ another wrote.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office for comment.

In December of 2024, a two-year-old girl was horrifically killed after she fell off and was struck by a crowded side-by-side.

Ellieana Mishoe, of Aiken, tragically died after she fell from the UTV (utility terrain vehicle), which had three other passengers, including another two-year-old, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

‘The toddler appeared to have fallen off the vehicle and was ultimately run over by it,’ a state trooper spokesperson told WMBF News.

The harrowing accident happened around 5:15 pm on a dimly-lit Bay View Drive in Aiken, just 12 miles north of Loris.

Ellieana’s father, Woody Mishoe, has since shared an emotional tribute to his late daughter on social media, describing her as ‘my world.’