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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Susie Beever

Barriers erected round Solihull lake where four boys died after plunge into icy water

Barriers and tape have been erected to keep people away from a scene where four boys tragically fell into a frozen lake, later losing their lives.

Jack Johnson, 10, 11-year-old Thomas Stewart and brothers Finlay, eight, and Samuel Butler, six, died last week after the tragedy at Babbs Mill Park in Solihull.

Three of the four boys suffered cardiac arrests after entering the water, which had been frozen over, while six-year-old Samuel sadly died in intensive care on Wednesday.

Large sections of the park have since been sealed off since the horrific incident on Sunday last week, which prompted authorities up and down the country to issued urgent warnings on the dangers of playing on ice.

The scene was secured on Friday as police vacated the park after days of brave officers risking their safety to ensure nobody else was in the water.

Pictured tape and metal barriers around Babbs Mill Lake, Kingshurst, Solihull (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)

Eyewitnesses had initially described seeing up to six children playing on the ice, although West Midlands Police later said this was likely only the four but that they would continue to comb the water just in case.

The boys' families have paid tribute to them in a joint statement issued through police.

Parents of Thomas, 11, Finlay, 8, and Sam, 6, said today: "As a family we are devastated at the loss of our beautiful boys Tom, Fin and Sam in such tragic circumstances.

"We would like to thank the emergency services for all they did in rescuing the boys and to the community for their support, it has been overwhelming.

Finlay (left) and Samuel Butler died after falling into a frozen lake (WMP/PA)

“We would like to pass on our condolences to Jack’s family at this very sad time and ask for privacy from the media to begin to grieve.”

Thomas’ older brother paid tribute to him and his cousin ahead of the sad news that Sam had passed. He wrote: “Thomas was such a lively little soul, he had a big heart for such a young kid and he was so beautiful.

"He loved being outside playing with his mates. I love you Tom, big bro will take care of the family and I will see you soon. Make sure you keep practising on warzone and get a win, will you?

“Can’t forget about my dinosaur man Fin, he loved dinosaurs so much and always showing me new things he built on Minecraft and all the new stuff he learnt on it. Gonna miss you little man.”

Thomas Stewart died in the tragedy (WMP/PA)
Jack Johnson, pictured with his dad, died after entering the water (Facebook)

Since last weekend's tragedy, a fundraising page has been set up to raise money for the bereaved families, Birmingham Live reports .

Donations have flooded in from around the world for the fundraiser, which by Saturday morning was closing in on £65,000.

Pictured tape and metal barriers around Babbs Mill Lake, Kingshurst, Solihull (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)

Supt Rich Harris, of West Midlands Police , said: “This is a tragedy beyond words and a grief that is unimaginable for the families and friends of the boys.

"The support from the community has been overwhelming, not just for the bereaved families, but also for the emergency services, for which we are extremely grateful."

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