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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Isabelle Bates & Charlie Duffield

Charity issues important safety advice after death of three boys in frozen lake tragedy

A charity has issued safety advice following the death of three boys who fell into a frozen lake on Sunday.

The children aged 11, 10 and eight were pulled from the water and taken straight to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

A fourth boy, aged six, is fighting for his life following the tragedy on Babbs Mill Lake in Solihull.

One of the boys who died has been named as Jack Johnson, ten. Another was named locally in floral tributes as 11-year-old Thomas.

Floral tributes left to little Thomas read: "To my friend Thomas. Thanks for being there for me when I was sad.

"Thanks for lending me your jacket when I was cold. You were like a brother to me.

"I miss you so much."

Another said: "To Thomas, rest in peace. Love from Earl."

10-year-old Jack Johnson (Facebook)
Jack and three other boys aged six, eight, 10 and 11, were taken to hospital in a critical condition after suffering cardiac arrests (Facebook)

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued advice on what to do if you witness someone falling through ice.

Key ice safety advice includes:

  • Calling the emergency services on 999, and not attempting to venture out onto the ice yourself.
  • You should alert the person to stay still and maintain heat and energy.
  • Try finding something which will extend your reach, like a rope, pole or branch.
  • Throw the object out and then once you are stable on the bank - either by lying down or having someone hold on to you - pull them in.
  • If you're unable to find something to reach with, then try finding an object that will float and push that out to them.
  • Make sure you keep off the ice at all times during the rescue, and carry on reassuring the casualty.
  • Keep them talking until help arrives, and once rescued, keep them warm and take them to hospital, even if they seem to be unaffected.
Yesterday the children aged 11, 10 and eight were pulled from the water and taken straight to hospital (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

David Walker, head of road and leisure safety at RoSPA, said: "With the current weather conditions as they are, it's important that people are especially careful around open waters.

"If you encounter somebody who is in trouble on or near ice, it's vital that you don't go in too."

A vigil has taken place tonight following the tragedy.

Birmingham Live reporter Naomi Desouza said: "You can feel the collective shock as the community in Kingshurst try to make sense of this tragedy. there is a growing crowd at what is becoming a community shrine to the three young boys who lose their life here.

Local people gather for a vigil at Babbs Mill Park near Solihull in Birmingham where three children died having fallen into an icy lake (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

"Parents, children and workers are all filing down to the flower site - which is being added to regularly. Candles have also been lit as the community waits in hope to hear about the fourth boy involved in this tragic accident."

A growing number of floral tributes are being left at the scene.

A note from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, left on a bunch of flowers, said: "Such a tragedy. So unnecessary.

"My heart goes out to the families who have lost their most precious gift. May their young lives rest in peace and may Kingshurst come together to remember them."

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