A heroic schoolgirl has spoken about the harrowing moment she attempted to save the four boys trapped in the frozen Solihull lake.
The three boys died at Babbs Mill Park on Sunday - with a fourth fighting for his life in hospital.
Oliwia Szewc, 13, has spoken out after ripping branches from nearby trees in a bid to help the boys escape. She was meeting a friend at the park on Sunday when the horror unfolded.
"I was just trying to find branches of trees and try to pass to them but they were all too short," brave Olivia told ITV.
"I was just trying my best to think of different ways to at least help them or do anything for them to float on the surface of the water so they wouldn't drown.
"I was thinking, what would be able to pull them back to the shore? And then I just looked at a tree and I was like, that's it. I should just get a branch I try. I got the branch, but it was too short."
Oliwia said she soon realised they would have to wait for the emergency services to arrive.
The schoolgirl described how there was also a man there, who she thinks was one of the boys' relatives.
She explained: "He jumped into the frozen lake and cut up his legs but couldn't really do anything because he was putting his own life at risk.
"He didn't go any farther because the police held him back."
When the police arrived Oliwia remembers seeing one of the officers trying to break through the ice.
"A mother from one of the children arrived and then most of the police officers went to go comfort her because she was just kind of in a panic and not knowing how to react.
"I know the police were breaking some of the ice off the lake."
Oliwia spoke to the 999 call handler to give directions.
"I was trying to describe the surroundings because I forgot the name of the lake. It was just the whole panic. I was still shocked."
When paramedics arrived they started to treat the boys who had been pulled from the water.
Oliwia and her friend handed over their coats to wrap around the boys, to bring them up to temperature.
She said: "Ambulance workers were asking for jackets and coats to try to bring the boys, like, temperature back up.
"I gave my coat, my friend gave her jacket. We were just kind of praying that the boys would be all right.
Oliwia adds: "I was willing to give up anything just at least to save one of them.
"Knowing that one of them's still in hospital is kind of a relief because I was at least able to help someone."
She continued: "It was just horrifying and I was just clueless because I tried to help but I couldn't but I tried my best."
People of all ages have been arriving throughout Tuesday to pay their respects to the three boys who died after falling through ice at a Solihull park pond. Some had brought child's toys, or sweets, to leave, others had balloons or bouquets on Tuesday.
The messages on the hundreds of cards told their own story, with several addressed to the "Babbs Mill Boys". One read: "You will never be forgotten boys, our three Kings of Kingshurst."
Meanwhile, a dive team from Nottinghamshire Police has been searching the lake throughout Tuesday morning as its neighbouring West Midlands Police continues to try to establish the circumstances of how the three children died in the icy waters. Oliwia has been supported by cops from WMP, who she has spoken to about what she saw.
"I was willing to give up anything just at least to save one of them," the teen said. "Knowing that one of them's still in hospital is kind of a relief because I was at least able to help someone."
She continued: "It was just horrifying and I was just clueless because I tried to help but I couldn't but I tried my best."
Today tearful police were seen today paying an emotional tribute to the young boys who lost their life at a lake in Solihull.
West Midlands Police teams from Chelmsley Wood and the Kingshurst area were seen laying flowers at the scene in Babbs Mill, Kingshurst on Tuesday 13.
Twenty-one officers were seen crowding around a tree, some captured breaking down with tears as they laid the flowers for the boys.
It came as the families were being supported by specialist officers and a dive team from Nottinghamshire Police spent the day searching the lake, helping as its neighbouring West Midlands Police as the force continues to try to establish the circumstances of how the three children died in the icy waters.
A police cordon remained in place - with three officers at the top of it, and a team further down at the lake.
Moving tributes have been laid close to the lake, which claimed the lives of three young boys, aged 11, 10 and eight, on Sunday afternoon.
A fourth child, aged just six, remains in critical condition in hospital.
